RICH WOMAN SHOT

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 August 1928, Page 7

RICH WOMAN SHOT

BUTCHER BOY ARRESTED ALLEGED LOVE-AFFAIR (Australian Press Association.) (By Cable—Press Assn—Copyright.) LOS .ANGELES, August 8. When Frank Melius, a prominent sportsman and manufacturer, returned from a week-end trip, he found his wife’s nude body stabbed and mutilated in the bedroom of their palatial home. Searching the mansion, Melius discovered Leo Kelly crouching in a closet. Kelly was formally charged with murder. He was very, incoherent as to what had occurred, but developments suggest a curious, amazing crime involved in the rivalry between

several women for this handsome young man’s affections. Kelly, aged 29, is a meat cutter by trade. ‘ Apparently, 'he often chugged along, it is alleged, in his delivery car, paying calls to wealthy ladies during the absence of their husbands. The police have interrogated a number of persons, who stated that they had been on lively parties with Mrs Melius and Leo Kelly. Three women prominent in Club circles, who have also allegedly been interested in Kelly’s attentions, have disappeared from Los Angeles, thus avoiding publicity, and perhaps arrest. The case is occasioning a sensation, almost like the Hickman murder. A negro maid, who served Leo Kelly and .Mrs Melius with breakfast on the morning that .the murder was committed, told the grand jury that her mistress had kissed her earlymorning caller.

An expert stated to-day that the fingerprints upon the weapons which killed Mrs Melius were not Kelly’s fingerprints.