MURDER CHARGE

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 83, 5 October 1933, Page 13

MURDER CHARGE

GREY LYNN TRAGEDY

MAGISTERIAL HEARING

(By Telegraph.—Press Association) AUCKLAND,-This Day, John Hubert Edwards, aged 41, a labourer, appeared-in the Police Court today charged with the murder of Mrs. Christian Cunningham at her home iv Grey Lynn on August 16. Joyce Isabel Cunningham, daughter of the deceased, said she had known the accused for. about six years. On August 15 she returned about midnight from a dance, and while she was at the gate the accused arrived and asked if her father was home, as he wanted to see him about some work. • Witness spoke to'her father in. bed, and then returned and told Edwards lie could go in. Next morning she rose about 10 o'clock. Edwards was in the scullery. She loft shortly afterwards, leaving her mother alone, Edwards having gone just previously. She returned about noon and found tho back door locked. She- entered by the front door, and found her mother and . Edwards lying on the floor in the sitting-room. Her mother was unconscious. She said to Edwards: "■ What have you-done?" He said: "I've done nothing." She then rushed to her mother-'.to try to make her heat- or see, but got no response. Witness called a neighbour,* and when she returned found the ace"used lying as before, but with blood running from his neck. Shortly after that the police arrived, and then her father. ;..-■■ HUSBAND'S EVIDENCE. Alfred Cunningham, motor mechanic, said he had known the accused for about six years. He had once occupied part of the same building as witness and his family. When they moved tho accused formed tho habit of calling on them. .. ■ At midnight on August 15 the accused arrived, and when asked what was wrong staggered, complained of feeling ill, and sat down on the bed. Witness must have fallen asleep, for when he awoke at 6.30 the accused was lying across the foot of the bed and said he was still feeling very ill. Witness left tho bedroom and on returning found tho accused in bed and wearing pyjamas. Later they both left for the city, but separated shortly afterwards. On returning home after noon witness found his wife lying ou the floor with her head and throat injured and Edwards with thrpat injuries. Thews was nothing between, his wife and Edwards except mere acquaintanceship. He had never known any undue show of affection by Edwards to his wife.' The Court adjourned for lunch.