Woman Charged With Murder: Enfield Case

Greymouth Evening Star, 5 February 1948, Page 4

Woman Charged With Murder: Enfield Case

■ (P.A.) DUNEDIN, February 4. Further evidence was heard today in the trial of Phyllis Freeman, 33, a single woman, who is charged in the . Supreme Court, Dunedin, before Mr Justice Kennedy, with the murder of Mrs Joyce Maysie Morrison at Enfield, near O'amaru, on October 3, 1942. The evidence followed closely along the lines of that given in the Lower Court. Sixteen witnesses had been heard by the lunch adjournment today, when Hector Morrison, husband of the dead woman and principal witness for the Crown, entered the box. “I got along very well with my wife, and she enjoyed good health until the time of her death,” Morrison said, when his examination was commenced by the Crown Prosecutor (Mr F. B. Adams). On the day of her death, witness’s wife was in good health when witness left home to go to a Home Guard parade. His wife was washing dishes, and appeared to be in good spirits. Witness did not expect any visitors to the farm that afternoon. The accused, Phyllis Freeman, was not expected. “I have known Phyllis Freeman for 10 or 12 years,” witness said. “My wife and she were friends, and accused quite often visited the house.” Mr Adams: After your wife’s death, did you make some arrangements with the accused? Morrison: Yes. Mr Adams: What was that arrangement? Morrison: After she. had been there some time, I asked her if she could stay on and keep house for me. She said she could provided her father did not want her at home. Mr Adams: When you asked her that, was she living in your home? Witness: Yes. Mr Adams: Who else was living there? Witness: Nobody.Mr Adams: Did the accused remain I with you from the time of the funeral? | Witness: Yes. No Mention of Marriage Mr Adams: What was the relationship between the accused and you while she stayed in your home? Witness: She was there just as housekeeper. Mr Adams: Was there any mention of a marriage between you? Witness: No, Mr Adams. Morrison said he noticed nothing unusual about the accused’s disposition, which appeared to be quiet. “She was a nervous type of girl, and gave the impression that she liked to be alone.” he said. Witness had observed no signs of abnormality, nor any signs of jealousy on her part concerning other women. His wife, to his knowledge, had not been taking any medicine at the time of her death. Witness then described entering the house and finding the body of his wife on his return from the Home Guard parade. “I examined the body and thought she was dead,” he said, “and I then went for assistance. When the accused saw me later, she said, ‘lsn’t it awful.’ ” No Suspicions Witness said he entertained no suspicions about his wife being poisoned, nor did anyone else to his knowledge. Witness added: “On the day of my wife’s death, the accused said she i came with a letter. On the next day, I saw it on the table. The envelope was sealed, and I read the letter. It - asked Mrs Morrison to collect church : funds.”

Morrison said there was no strychnine about the farm at the time of his wife’s death. About 12 years ago, he bought some strychnine to poison birds. That was the only time it had been used. To his knowledge, his wife never had strychnine in her possession. Strychnine was commonly used on farms for poisoning rabbits; on his farm ne was in the habit of using traps. The court adjourned until tomorrow.