MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE W

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27040, 15 May 1953, Page 6

MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE W

WOMAN’S DEATH NEAR ROTORUA TRIAL OF~HUSBAND \ BEGIIOijB (New Zealand Press Association, HAMILTON, May 14. A charge of unlawfully killing Marert Tuhua, also known as Mrs Molly Vercoe, at Hinemoa Point, Rotorua, on April .4, thereby committing manslaughter, was denied by Charlie Nani Vercoe. aged 29, a miHhand, of Hinemoa Point, in the Supreme Court at Hamilton today before Mr Justice Hutchinson and a jury. ' Vercoe also pleaded not guilty to alternative charges of assaulting Tuhua, to whom, he was married in Maori fashion, of causing her actual bodily harm, and of common assault He is Represented by Mr O. H. Cooney and Mr D. S. Cooney. Mr D. W. McMullin is prosecuting. Mr McMullin' in his opening address said that the accused had been living with Molly Vercoe in a primitive tworoomed bach nt Hinemoa Point for some time before April 4. On Easter Saturday, Molly Vercoe went to the races at Rotorua, where she had some liquor. The accused went to the pictures and also had some liquor. He took two shepherds home with him and a party was held in the bach. About 9 p.m. an argument developed between the Vercoes. The accused chased Molly Vercoe into the kitchen, seized her by the neck and dragged her into the bedroom.

The, guests in the house heard a thud and a dragging sound as of a body being dragged across the floor. They heard the front door close, and the accused came in. He was smiling, and apologised by /saying that there had been a- bit of a row. Later one of the guests who was outside heard groans, and found Molly Vercoe lying unconscious near the front door. He carried her in and placed her on a bed.

In the morning the accused was heard moving about early getting things together. He told the guests that he was going away, that he would give the police a long chase, and that they would not take him alive. He went away on a horse and was not seen until he gave himself up some days later. Woman’s Injuries Mr McMullin said that Molly Vercoe was found dead. She had two hemorrhages, one at the side of the head and another at the base of the brain. She also had a bruise on the chin. It was contended by the Crown that the bruise on the chin had been caused by a blow from the accused’s fist which in turn had caused the hemorrhage at the base of the brain. The other hemorrhage, it was contended, was sustained when the woman fell after being struck. Either hemorrhage could have caused death. Mr McMullin said that the accused had left a note. In this he said that he and Molly lived happily together until she “got on the grog. I could not resist giving her a few slaps,” he said.

William Haronga, of Rotorua, said that Molly Vercoe was drunk when she returned from the races, had more drink, and was quarrelsome. The ease for the prosecution was still being heard when the Court adjourned. ;