CASE AGAINST DECKE

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 116, 12 November 1931, Page 15

CASE AGAINST DECKE

AN UNWANTED LOVER EVIDENCE OF THREAT ■i MISS MEEHAN'S STORY (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) PALMERSTON N, This Day. After the luncheon adjournment yes.»3Tday in the hearing of the murder charge against Norman Robert Decke, in respect of the death of Edwin John Blakeway, found shot at Karere on 23rd August, evidence was given by William R. Kells, undertaker, who removed the'body from the side of the road. He said the deceased's raincoat was closely fastened. At the morgue the deceased's pockets were investigated and a small tin with a bullet hole in it was discovered; also handkerchiefs, Is 4d, a watch, and a silver chain with five medals attached, a pocket knife, a mirror, a folding coat hanger, two cigarette holders, a "Lucky Bird" Art Union ticket, two ■ lead pencils, cigarettes,' and matches. There were ne blood stains in the pockets, but witneßS's hands had blood on them when he inserted them and stained the cloth. Counsel: "Did you find any correspondence at all?" —"Noue whatever." "Any money in notes?" —"No." Constable J. H. Beaton described the position in which the body was found, adding that the clothing showed no sign of having been interfered with, nor was there evidence of a struggle. Witness found a live cartridge near the bicycle. GROANS IN THE NIGHT. Mrs. E. B. "Vowels, who was staying with the Tanners on the evening of the tragedy, said she heard groans about 11.20 o'clock on Sunday evening, a long one and then a short one. She also thought she heard someone call out. She sat up in bed listening for what might follow, but nothing further Happened. The noises were loud enough to make her sit up and listen. Vivian Tanner told the Court that she also heard, a long groan and a short one after retiring to bed on the Sunday night between 11.15 and 11.30. She took no notice, thinking it was cattle. Donald Forbes, a farm hand, stated that he spent the Sunday evening in town, leaving for home about 11 p.m. , Near Tanner's he passed a bicycle ly- ' ing on the road. He looked back but saw nothing, so he went on. Edward Leslie Jewell, farm hand, recalled that he passed a bicycle on the road, but did not stop to investigate. The Crown Prosecutor: "Why not?" • —'fit is not unusual to see bikes lying like that on the side of the road out there." Witness said he did not see the body. DECEASED'S FIANCEE. Betty Nora Meehan, 19 years of age, said she had known Decke for 18 months, meeting him for the first time on Anzae Day, 1930. She also knew Blakeway, having first met him when he was working on the railway at Longburn, between July and October, 1929. Blakeway did not stop at Longburn long, being transferred to Wellington for two months, and then to Otaki, where he remained until he was moved to Palmerston North last August. While he was at Longburn witness and the deceased walked out' together, and about last May they became engaged. While at Longburn the deceased visited the Meehan home a good deal with . the approval of witness's parents, and while he was at Otaki she saw a good deal of him, both exchanging visits. Every cither week-end he would visit ■Karere. The accused came to witness's home a few times and was aware of her relations with Blakeway. She had never been out to pictures witli Decke, but had been for a ride once •or twice on his motor-cycle. On leaving the district Decke went to Marton, from where he wrote to witness occasionally. He also came down to see her. • ■ ' ■ ' ■ DECKE'S INFATUATION. She answered Decke's letters, and amongst other things told him she was engaged to Blakeway. She did not encourage his. visits, but actually told him not to come on account of Blakeway. She received fourteen letters (produced) from Decke, starting in November, 1930. The last one received Was dated 29th June, 1931. Counsel: "They all told you how much he loved you, and asked you to marry him, did they not?"—" Yes." "And your reply was to tell him about Blakeway?"—"Yes." "One day when you went to Otaki Decke went too?"—" Yes." "Did you sed him there?"—" Yes, but J[ was not speaking to him." "Where did you see him?" —"He came to the houso and saw Blakoway." "And had a conversation with him?" —"Yes. I didn't hear what was said." "What day of the week was it?"—"A Sunday." "When you got back from Otaki Decke wrote you a letter on 17th May?" —"Yes." THREAT IN A LETTER. "He goes into the same thing again, how he loves you and that you had no right to marry Blakeway, Then he uses this expression, 'I'll stop him even if it is the last thip-; I do, so may God help me.' Did that refer to Blakeway?"—"Yes." "What did you do?"—"I sent it to Blakeway." "What was your object in sending It to him?"—" Because of the threat." "How long before 17th May was it that you saw Deekc in Otaki?" —"It was the same day as the letter is dated." "He came out one day when you were polishing the passage. What happened on that occasion? Was anything said about Blakeway?" —"He shook me and told me he wouldn't allow mo to marry Blakeway." "What did you say?"—"l asked him who was going to, stop me. He then walked away." "Did he say anything else?" —"Ho said he was going to have it out with Blakeway." At this stage the witness broke down, and was allowed to retire for a little while. FATHER AND MOTHER. j The evidence of witness's father, Patrick Meehan, was proceeded with. He said that Blakeway had been keeping company with his daughter for about twelve or eighteen months. Witness went to bed on the Sunday night about 7.50, Blakewny, arriving at that time. On Monday morning he was called, to the scene of the tragedy, where he picked up an empty cartridge. "What did you do with it?" —"I put it i-x my pocket." "'■^hy didn't you give it to the constable there at the time?"—" They all thought it was an accident, but I didn't. I brought it to the police station later." "Had you any objection to Decke coming to see your daughter?"—" Not at first." "Did you ever tell him you objectcc lJ»__"Ycs, I told him once." "What happened?"—"l went outside and told my daughter to go in, and

told Decko ho wasn't wanted. Ho made no reply." The Magistrate: "Has ho boon back since?" —"Yes, but I didn't see him." Counsel: "Was Blakeway a friend of yours""—"Yes." "And you approved of the engagement'" —"Yes." Mrs. Meehan, wife of the last witness, declared that Blakeway and her daughter wore not engaged. She recalled tho deceased's visit on the Sunday night. Ho arrived at S o'clock on a bicycle, and stayed for three hours in company with witness and Betty. After supper Blakeway left, Betty going with him to the gate. Ten minutes later she returned. The accused was known to the family and had visited the house on one occasion only with witness's permission. On the other occasions he came without permission to see Betty. [ THE FINAL PARTING. Miss Meohan, who had recovered, followed her mother into tho witness box. She said she saw Decke on the Sunday afternoon about 3 o'clock. He rode past1 on a motor-cycle towards Palmerston North. He waved his hand. She had previously seen him going up tho road. At 8 o'clock that night Blakeway arrived, and they sat out the evening in the kitchen. Her mother was present, but her father had gone to bed. When Blakeway left she went to the gate with him, and they stayed there a few minutes. Two or three cars and a motor-cycle went past. The deceased put on his gloves and rode away. She had told Decke she was going to marry Blakeway in December. Counsel: "Did he ever tell you anything about buying a gun?"—" No." The Court adjourned until to-day.