ALLEGED MURDER

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 149, 12 March 1923, Page 7

ALLEGED MURDER

SON CHARGED WITH POISONING HIS MOTHER PROPERTY BEQUEATHED TO CHILDREN HUSBAND EXCLUDED FROM WILL A verdict of murder has been returned by a coroner's jury against William Morgan, whose mother died qf arsenical poisoning. It was stated during the inquiry that the mother had bequeathed her property to her children, including the accused, excluding her husband.. BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS association. —COPYRIGHT. (Rec. March 11, 5.5 p.m.) London, March 10. At Newport, Monmouthshire, a coroner’s jury returned a verdict of wilful murder against William Morgan, son of Jennie Morgan, who -lied under such mysterious circumstances that a doctor withheld a certificate and reported the death to the coroners It was stated in evidence that the woman bequeathed her property to her children, including William, excluding her husband. The startling character of the case developed rapidly, recalling many features of the Greenwood and Armstrong cases. The facts established, first, that the woman died of arsenical poisoning : secondly, that she was too cak to feed herself; thirdly, a mysterious box of arsenical weedkiller was found in the office where William was employed. The complications were increased by the extraordinary disappearance of a 21-year-old girl, Ethel Doris Andrews, Morgan’s maid, who was summoned as a witness. Mrs. Anthony, a neighbour, gave evidence of strained relations between the man and his wife, alleging that the former complained that he was treated like a dog, and that the wife wanted a -separation. She alleged, further, that the wife complained when her husband prepared her food that it tasted salty and burned her mouth. The foreman of the jury intervened and asked tho witness if she were not drawing on her imagination. The husband, examined by the coroner. said there was no occasion for anybody to take weed-killer home. It. would not be brought home to kill weeds. Four fowls which were fed on tabla scraps soon died mysteriously. His wife’s brother had informed him that his wife had made a will under which the property could be sold a’"ter her death, and the husband could bo turned out. He was entirely ignorant of his wife taking arsenic. He and his wife were not estranged and were on affectionate terms* William Morgan gave evidence that he never touched the weed-killer kept in his office. He had noticed specks in his mother’s arrowroot. Ho did not take the doctor’s advice fully. He had made a statement to the police that he had. been worried because his mother complained of the saltiness of her food. He admitted throwing away a tin bottle. Deceased’s brother-in-law stated in evidence that he drew up the will at the request of deceased’s sons. Wiliam Morgan collapsed on hearing the verdict. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.