DEATH OF WIFE

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 5, 1 October 1935, Page 10

DEATH OF WIFE

Husband Charged With

Murder

AUCKLAND MUSICIAN Crown to Call Thirty-four Witnesses By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, September 30. On a charge of murdering on April 15 Thelma Clarice Afareo, his wife, Eiic Marco, aged 41, a musician, appeared in the Magistrate’s Court this morning before Air. F. K. Hunt, S.AI.

Following the death of Alareo’s 29-year-old wife at the Auckland Hospital an inquest was opened on the following day, and after evidence of identification was adjourned sine die and has net yet been completed. Alareo was arrested on September 2. The back of the court was crowded this morning. Tlie Crown case is being conducted by Air. V. N. Hubble and Air. F. McCarthy, while Air. K. C. Aekins and Air. Trevor Henry are appearing for Alareo. It is understood that thirty-four witnesses will be called by the Crown, including several experts. Reginald Riddell, of the Public Works Department, produced a plan of the house No. 1 Tentcrden Avenue, Alount Albert. Evidence of Accused’s Daughter, Elizabeth Patricia Alareo. aged 21, a daughter,, of accused, entered tlie witness-box and smiled at her father seated in tlie dock, Alareo smiling back. Witness said she was born in England, where her mother died in 1928. She left England in 1931 with accused and her brother Graham, proceeding to Sydney, where her father was an orchestral conductor until 1933, when he left on a New Zealand tour with the Ernest Rolls theatrical company. Her father informed her by letter that he had married Thelma Trott. Later witness and her brother came to Auckland and lived with their father and stepmother. Witness said she did not get on very well with Airs. Alareo, who was inclined to drink. Three weeks before the latter’s death witness had left Tentcrden Avenue, but used to go back occasionally. She had tea at the house ou Friday, April 12, with Alareo and her brother. Her father said Airs. Alareo was unwell and in bed. Witness passed her in the passage wearing a dressing-gown. As witness was leaving Alareo gave her an envelope marked not to be opened until after his death. It. contained information of her parentage. Up till then she had regarded Alareo as her father. The first witness heard of Airs. Alareo’s death was when her brother telephoned on Alonday, April 15, stating that she had been taken to hospital. Airs. Alareo had often been in bed sick. Sometimes she would read and sometimes would be “just dopey” and would do nothing. Witness remembered a week-end when Eleanor Brownlee and Freda Stark were at the house. There had been a general argument. Alareo had been drinking a little. “I think Airs. Alareo did not like tlie idea of Eleanor Brownlee staying over the week-end,” said witness. Airs. Afareo left the house with Freda Stark and witness asked Aliss Brownlee 1o stop over. Airs. Alareo returned on Sunday night.

After her step-mother's death witness was at Tentcrden Avenue on the Good Friday week-end. Her father, brother and Eleanor Brownlee were also there. Witness found two bottles, and as there had been so much trouble during the previous week site removed tlie labels and burnt them. “I did not see why the chemist should get into trouble too.” said witness.

This completed Aliss Alareo’s evidence.

Kenneth Janies Bark, a grocer’s assistant, said lie called as usual during tlie week preceding’Airs. Alareo’s death. When he delivered groceries about 5 o’clock on the Thursday afternoon Mrs. Alareo seemed just as usual. lie had never noticed signs of liquor about her. z

Boris Thornton, a butcher’s assistant, said lie called at the house daily. He saw Airs. Alareo once or twice during the week preceding her death. She was moving about as usual. . An Insurance Policy.

Stanley Stapleton Porter, an insurance agent, said that in 1934 Airs. Alareo took out an industrial policy for £35. Witness called every Alonday. When he called on April 15 a stranger paid the premium. There was a fawncoloured limousine outside the house. He had seen Airs. Alareo on the previous Alonday in the washhouse rinsing out clothing. She was normal and in her usual spirits. After conversation he posted a letter for Airs. Alareo addressed to Mrs. Trott, Gympie, Queensland. lie had never noticed liquor on Mrs. Alareo. No claim had been made under the insurance policy. Accused knew it was in force. Witness identified burnt paper produced by’Air. Hubble as part of the policy. ■ Herbert Edwin. William Smith, civil servant, a member of Alareo’s orchestra, said he remembered Mrs. Alareo playing the lead in the musical opera, “The Duchess of Danzig.” He had often visited the Alareo’s home and had never noticed signs of liquor on Airs. Alareo. She sometimes took light wine. When doing so she usually held her nose. On April 11 she was doing her work about the house quite in good health. Graham Erie Alareo, aged 16. said that shortly before his stepmother died she said she was very tired and sleepy. While in bed on the Saturday morning lie heard a couple of bumps from her bedroom. He found her holding on to the dressing-table, swaying and talking incoherently. He called his father, who was iu bis bath. They helped her back to bed. Shortly after midnight ou Saturday, at his father's request, witness purchased sal volatile from an all-night dispensary. He rang for a doctor on the Monday.

Infiniafe Friend of Mrs. Alareo,

Miss Freda Stark, an intimate friend of Mrs. Mareo, who visited her frequently in Auckland, said Mrs. Mareo did not drink to excess. On one occasion when she was with Mrs. Mareo accused burst open the bedroom door and said: “Yon ! You’ve insulted me in public. Here I was looking for my wife and making a fool of myself.” “Mrs. Mareo was very frightened and hung on to me.” continued Miss Stark. Witness went to the room and then heard Mrs. Mareo crying. Deceased ran into the room, Mareo following her, and said her husband had hit her. Mrs. Mareo was terrified and

said, “Don’t let him get me.” Alareq pulled Airs. Mareo, but she clung on to the bedpost. Witness said Airs. Alareo returned to the front room, •* when Alareo said: “Get out! Look at you.’ yon dirty drunken . I used to drink tea until I met you. Get out on the streets where you belong.” Witness said Mrs. Alareo replied, “I would if you would give me back my £500,” Mareo saying he could not as it would take him two years. Alareo said, “You bought me with your £500.” Witness related another incident when Miss Eleanor Brownlee came to stay at Alareo’s house. Following this witness and Airs. Alarpo left the house. On the following day witness returned with Mrs. Alareo to pack her things. Airs. Alareo decided to stay and talk things over with Alareo. Miss Brownlee left soon after they arrived. AVitness said she saw Alareo later, and he said, “Everything is all right between Thelma and me. Silly kid! As if I could possibly be in love with Eleanor; she has no personality or looks.” Witness said she never saw Airs. Alareo under the influence of liquor to such an extent that she lost her senses. During tlie three weeks prior to her death Airs. Alareo seemed to be in the best of health. Attack of Sleepiness. Witness said that about this time Airs. Mareo seemed happy, and accused and deceased appeared to be getting on all right. On Friday, April 12, Airs. Alareo was not well, and during the week-end she was sleeping for some time. She seemed to be half dazed: her voice seemed very muffled and she could not keep her eyes open. Witness talked to her to try and keep her awake. Witness told Mareo his wife was waking up and suggested that sal volatile would bring her round properly. Witness was supporting Airs. Mareo. who could not. keep her eyes open. Witness said to her. "Open your eyes. Thelma : you’ve been asleep all day. I’ve come out to spend the weekend will, you." Mr. Hubble (for the Crown): Did she know you?—"Yes. Alareo suggested telling her a funny story to keep her awake.” And you told her a funny story.' “Yes." The court then adjourned.