AVONSIDE MURDERS

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 February 1934, Page 7

AVONSIDE MURDERS

MERRIMAN’S TRIAL OPENED CROWN ADMITS INSANITY [FEB PBESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH, February 12. As the outcome of the tragedy at a house in Avonside, on November last, Reginald John Merriman, 32, motor driver, appeared at the Supreme Court, charged with murdering his wife and three children, aged eight, seven and six. The Crown Prosecutor (Mr Donnelly) said there was no doubt the accused murdered his wife and three children. “Murder is the most serious of all crimes,” said Mr Donnelly to the jury, “but in this instance, the burden will not weigh so heavily upon you. The accused has been examined by Dr. A. C. McKillop, in charge of the Sunnyside Mental Hospital, and his assistant. Dr. Brown, bothare of the opinion that accused was insane in both the medical and legal senses, when the crime was committed.” Mr Donnelly said that the accused's married life had been unhappy over the last five years, mainly because a man named Crowhen had come between accused and his wife.

Detective McKenzie gave evidence of finding the bodies of the children on a mattress in front of the gas stove in the kitchenette. A tube led from the stove to the mattress on which Merriman and three children were lying. Witness found Mrs Merriman lying in a double bed in the bedroom. There were two marks on her throat just to the left of the windpipe, looking as though they were caused by nails. There was a bruise on her forehead. A search was made without success for something which might have caused the injuries. On November 18, witness and Constable Harding interviewed accused ( at the hospital. In a statement, accused traced his family trouble. He stated that when he came off night shift, it was to find Crowhen at his home. Merriman said he had repeated quarrels with his wife over Crowhen. On being informed that his wife and children were found dead, Merriman said he supposed he had done it. He could not see how anyone else could have.

. Doctor Sheffield, -who -was called to Merriman’s house, said he gave the accused artificial respiration and sent, him to the hospital. Dr. McKillop said that accused had a family history of 4 mental weakness. (Proceeding.)