MAYFIELD MURDER

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 103, 28 October 1913, Page 8

MAYFIELD MURDER

PRISONER'S CONFESSION "I DON'T KNOW WHAT MADE ME DO IT" BIDDLE COMMITTED FOE TRIAL. (BT TELEGRAPH— PRESS ASSOCIATION.) ASHBURTON, This Day. At the Ashburton Magistrate's Court this morning, before Mr. V. G. Day, S.M., Alfred Mortran Biddle appeared on remand on a charge of murdering Rosanna Lilley, at Mayfield, on Wednesday, 15th October. Accused arrived from the Lyttelton 'Gaol by the first express, under charge of Superintendent Kiely and Detectives Gibson and Eade. Biddle slept peacefully' during the train journey, and again while waiting for the Court proceedings to commence. A large crowd had assembled on the railway station platform to catch a glimpse of the prisoner, but a police ruse frustrated the curiosity of the great majority. The prisoner, who was not wearing handcuffs, appeared much improved since his arrest, and the inquest a week ago, his face having filled out considerably. The Court was crowded as soon as tho doors opened. Mr. JT. W. Stringer, KiC. f appeared for the Crown, Biddle being unrepresented. Evidence was given by John Allen Lilley (husband of deceased), Leonard Lilley (the eldest son, aged 8), Maria and Robert Montgomery (neighbours), David Langford (with whom accused had boarded), Dr. Rendle, and Constable Turner, but no new facts were disclosed by them. Detective-Sergeant John Fahey's evidence included the following statement, which witness said Biddle had made to him, quite unsolicited, on arrest : — "I don't know what made me do it. I have been, worried for about a fortnight. My legs and arms have been sore. I went to Lilley 's to collect some money. Lilley was not at home. Mrs. Lilley was in tho kitchen. She asked who was there, t «aid, 'Mr. Biddle.' I told her that Mrs. Bob Montgomery was ill, and wanted her to come to her. She came with me through the paddock for about four chains. I then hit her on the head with the hammer, and, as true as God is above me, I did not do anything else to her. I hit her more than once., I cannot say how many times. The hammer was my own. I had it with me to take pins out of a plough which I took from Jimmy Toners." Tho statement bore the following addendum in Biddle's own writing : " AH that has been read over to me is true. — Alfred Biddle." Evidence was also given by Detectives Gibson and Eade. Accused declined to question any of the witnesses. The Magistrate advised accused to plead not guilty, and to reserve his detence, and accused almost silently acquiesced. In advising him, Mr. Day ' said that if the plea of guilty were entered on at this stage the Judge would not be able to ignore it. Biddle was committed to stand his trial at the Supreme Court at Christchurch on 17th November. V