MAREO MURDER TRIAL

Evening Star, Issue 22272, 25 February 1936, Page 8

MAREO MURDER TRIAL

FINAL EVIDENCE CONSELS' ADDRESSES FOLLOW [Per United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, February 25. Proceedings moved more rapidly in the Mareo murder trial to-day, when the police witnesses were disposed of sooner than was expected, thus paving the way for the commencement of counsel’s addresses. The court was again crowded, and Mareo at various stages smilingly chatted with leading counsel for the defence, Mr O’Leary. The cross-examination of Detectivesergeant Meiklejohn was concluded in half an hour and his re-axamination two minutes later. The foreman of the jury asked: “When Mareo sad ‘Do you think I am a murderer?’ what was the exact conversation ?”

The judge, replying, read the page of evidence referring to the conversation, in the course of which Meiklejohn asked Mareo how his wife came to have so much veronal. It was then that Mareo replied “Do you think I am a murderer?’’

Detective Meiklejohn further stated that when the detectives called at Miss Brownlee’s room to read the warrant for his arrest Mareo said: “ This is ridiculous.” He asked if he could telephone his solicitor, Mr Aekins. Replying to Mr Johnston, witness said the size of the room was 9ft by Bft. When being taken to the watchhouse Mareo asked if Miss Brownlee could come and see him. He also asked her to tell his son Graham.

Mr O’Leary: What height are you in your stockings? Witness; Six feet and a-half inch.

When did you decide to arrest Mareo?—September 2, the day he was arrested.

1 suppose some of these questions put to him were directed to be put by medical men?—By my officers. But you know they came from medical men?—Some might have. Laying the foundation for medical evidence ?—They may have been. When you asked as to what common sense she had spoken on the Saturday night, that would be what the medical men wanted to know?—Yes. Detective Hamilton corroborated the evidence given by Meiklejohn. When witness was alone in the front room ■with Mareo on the night of his wife’s death, accused said: “I’ve had a double whisky, and have a bottle of brandv in the car to make me sleep tonight.-' 1 feel like doing myself in.” Witness told accused_ not to be sillyWhen mentioning his wife’s 'drinking, Mareo said: “I feel like a cad saying all this about the poor dear, but Tve got to protect myself.” Detective Hamilton, cross-examined by Mr Aekins, said that when the police first went to Tenterden Avenue they had no search warrant, but Mareo gave full permission to search the whole house. During the making of his statements accused used “ Poor darling ” and “ Poor deaf ” often in referring to his wife. The last witness, detective M'Lean, corroborated much of the evidence of Meiklejohn and Hamilton. Mr O’Leary informed His Honour that he desired to address the jury after the final address by the Crown. His Honour: Yes, Mr O’Leary. Mr Johnstone then commenced his final address. He said all counsel would wish to thank the jury for their careful attention throughout the hearing, and there was no doubt the same care and attention would be paid to the end,