TO STAND TRIAL

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 142, 13 December 1933, Page 7

TO STAND TRIAL

CHARGE OF MURDER

THE MERRIMAN CASE

WITNESS'S ADMISSIONS

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) CHBISTCHUKCH, December 12. Bcginald John Merriman, aged 32, motor-driver, was committed for trial today on a charge of murdering his wife, Elizabeth. Jane Merriman, and his three children on or about November 14 at Kerr's Eoad, Wainoni. Henry Edwin Crowhen, single, motor mechanic, employed by the Post and Telegraph Department, said he knew the accused and his wife intimately. On November 12 he called at Merriman's house and Merrimas, jaid he had something to say to witness. His wife said: "Say it in front of me." Morriman then said he had nothing to say. To Mr. Thomas witness said he had enjoyed ' the hospitality of Merrimau and his wife. Mr. Thomas: Did you return th* trust tkatMerrinian placed in you? Witness (after hesitation): No. Did you begin a course of meetings with Mrs. Merriman unknown to her husband ?—Yes. Did you sometimes have intercourse with her?— Yes. Did Mrs. Merriman say in July, 1932, that she would seek a. divorce?— Yes. When Mrs. Merrimaii went to Cambridge Terrace did you visit her? —Yes. Did she not go back to her husband to save you your job in case you were named as co-respondent? Witness: She might have put it that way. Is it not true that some weeks before the tragedy Mrs. Merriman spoke of suicide? Witness: Reg. told me so. Do you feel perfectly innocent of any, responsibility for this murder?—-I am indirectly responsible. AH UNINVITED GUEST. •Dr. A. B. Pearson, pathologist, said that an examination of the bodies-of the children showed no external marks of violence. On the body of Mrs. Merriman was a large rceeut bruise ou bhe left temple. There was a minor abrasion on the forehead and a cluster of abrasions on the. right side of the neck. In the post-mqrteui examination he had found a fracture of a bone at the base of the tongue which was certainly caused by violence. The mother died first and the children afterwards, between the hours of 10 o'clock on the night of November 14 and 3 o'clock oil November 15. The cause of death was poisoning with coal gas. Detective Duncan McKenzie gave evidence of Merrimaii's statements while, in hospital. He said that Crowhen had visited the house several times uninvited. The result was quarrels with his wife. Eepeatedly he told her that unless Crowhen stopped the visits there would be an end to it in some way. On several occasions she said she wanted a divorce, and, on some occasions, separation. Onca she packed her effects and left home and the children. Eventually she returned and later went with the children to the Chatham Islands, saying that Crowhen had given her £15 for tlie fare. Oh her return relations were friendly, but Crowhen came again. She suggested that he (Merriman) should leave home, allowing her £2 weekly. There were other rows.