PALMERSTON TRAGEDY,

Gisborne Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1718, 7 April 1906, Page 2

PALMERSTON TRAGEDY,

MURDER OF FRED MURFIPT,

(Per Press Association.) Palmerston North, last night. The Coroner’s inquiry in connection with tho recent tragedy, the victim of whioh was Frederick Murfitt, was held today. Owing to the weak state of the woman, Mrs Harris, the inquiry was held at tho Hospital. A quantity of evidence was taken on the lioes of facts already published. A letter found on Mrs Harris’s premises fivo days after lbs occurrence was as follows: —“ My doar mother, I hope all will forgivo me, as I hope God will. Goodbye from your poor daughter, Maria Tolley. (This was Mrs Harris's maiden name).” The letter was roughly printed on a scrap of paper. Detective Maddern said that this rnorniog he charged Mrs Harris with the murder of Murfitt, by shooting him on the 21st Match last. She said she did not intend to ehcot him, but bought ihe ret olverto kill horsoif, adding that she had tried to do so btforo. The evidence submitted went to show that jealousy of deceased's niece, a oomely young woman, Miss Davidson, prompted Mrs Ha ris to do the deed. The jury returned a verdict that deoeaped Frederick Murfitt oame to hia death by a bullet from a revolver fired by Mrs Harris A rider was added that the shot was fired while the woman ja an unsound slate of mind,