TRIAL OF A. T. MUNN

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 123, 27 May 1930, Page 10

TRIAL OF A. T. MUNN

ALLEGED WIFE MURDER

ADDRESSES OF COUNSEL

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, This Day.

The trial of Arthur Thomas Munu on a charge of murdering his wife was continued in the Supremo Court yesterday afternoon and to-day. Referring to Munn's evidence, Mr. Northcroft, for the defence, argued that in spite of a severe cross-examination by Mr. Meredith, the accused's statements liad not been shaken in the slightest. There was really little difference between Munn aud ' Dr. Dudding as to what took place between them; at most there were only minor discrepancies. Under those circum--stances was the jury entitled to say that Munn was lying, and Dr. Budding was telling tho truth? Counsel said there. was only one conclusion to be arrived at from tho detectives' evidence: that they had agreed on one version of Munn's interviews with the police and learned it off by heart. Tho jury had seen Munn on several occasions un ble to, control his emotions. Either he was overcome, or'ho was an excellent actor doing that for effect. Mr. Northcroft concluded his address at 11.50 a.m., to-day. Mr". VJ R. Meredith, Crown Prosecutor, who followed, stated that he expected to got through his address before lunch. CASE FOR THE CKOWN. Mr. Meredith, in his address to the jury, said it was quite clear that Mrs. Munn died of strychnine, poisoning. There were three possibilities: she may have taken poison by accident, or with intent, or it may have been administered to her. Tho first possibility could be eliminated. Could it be suggested that she took strychnine for the purpose of suicide? Her letters showed that she was happy. The suggestion that she was taking strychnine because of pregnancy was grotesque. If suicide was eliminated the only conclusion was that somebody gavo strychnine to her. Munn had the opportunity. He gave her food and medicine. There wero friendly neighbours ready; to assist, but wero; not allowed to do so. Munn was also' the only person who had a motive. It was quito clear that.he had become tired of his wife, also that he,had ill-treated her and had become infatuated with another woman. The Crown's suggestion was that he then became possessed of the idea of getting rid of his wife. It had been stressed, continued Mr. Meredith, that Muun had gone to a doctor, but it was the only thing he could have done, because if she had died without a doctor there must have been a post-mortem. Munn had ■ asked the doctor to call on Thursday, one of his wife's good2days, because she had had no strychnine that day. Although on the following day his wife- was iv awful pain, Munn, did not call the doctor. The next day he told'the doctor that she was getting on well. ; Mr. Meredith's address will conclude shortly after the luncheon interval.