MURDER NEAR AUCKLAND

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2703, 6 December 1882, Page 3

MURDER NEAR AUCKLAND

[press association telegram:.J AUCKLAND, December 5. Mary Crowley, aged sixteen, daughter of the Howick murderer, has made the following statement: —Father went to the shelf where his shirt was. He put it on the table. It was clean, but not starched or ironed, and he began ironing it with a cold iron. He seemed very quiet when ironing the shirt, and when he came into the kitchen all he said was that I must not go to Howick. I wont into the front room to go through it to the bedroom to tie my necktie. When I went in for it ho was still ironing the shirt, and mother and father were not talking. I then went into the kitchen, but heard no quarrelling between them, but I heard mother ask him why he did not put on a white shirt that was ironed. This was a new shirt that had never been worn, and ho said, “ No, I will not put it on.” Mother made no remark then. I hoard no more quarrelling, but about ton minutes after that I heard blows; more than one. 1 heard mother screaming before I heard blows, but heard no quarrelling or •“nagging.” She was not scolding him that°moraing when ho brought in the iron. He said to mother, “ Hero’s your iron, you can put it away,” but she did not reply. Did not hoar either of them speak again, •after that, until I heard a scream five minutes after. Then from the sound I could toll he knocked her down. I ran into the room. Mother was then stretched on the floor near the window, and I saw father standing up alongside her, with the iron in his hand. I noticed blood on her face, and when I saw it I ran. I saw him strike a blow before I ran. When I ran from the kitchen on hearing mother scream, I could sec into the front room, for the kitchen door opened into the front room. I only heard the first blow, for I did not • see him knock her down ; but she lay with her head toward the bedroom, and when I got in I was standing near her bead, and saw father strike her with the iron on the face. I only saw one blow, and then ran out. She was making no noise at that time, and did not after she screamed. I ran out when I saw the blow, and went to Prater’s manager and told him I believed that father had killed my mother. Ho was queer in his manner, and wore his Sunday clothes to work. It is not true she jvas constantly “jawing” and “nagging” at father. It was he who was constantly • 1 jawing ” her. Sho used to say that he spent his money when he went to Howick. He used to answer her back and go to Howick sometimes, but seldom got drunk.

He had no drink lately ; bad none that morning. My stepmother used to treat mo very well. Father had no reason to complain of her conduct. She scolded me sometimes, hut on the whole treated me kindly. I have no cause to complain of her treatment.

The inquest on the body of Ellon Crowley was held to-day at Whitefoord Park, Tunanga Ci'eek, by Captain Kellop. Mr Hesketh watched the case for the prisoner, who was pi'esent under police escort. The evidence of the daughter went to show that the affair was the result of sxxdden frenzy on her father’s part. Hesketh’s cross-examination of the witness was to set up the plea of temporary insanity. Some of the jurors wanted to add a x-ider of temporary insanity, but the coroner told them it was not a question for their consideration. A verdict of “ Wilful murder” was returned.

FURTHER DETAILS. AUCKLAND, December G.

The inquest on the body of Mrs Crowley took place yesterday at Whitefoord Park farm. Mr Hesketh watched the proceedings on behalf of the prisoner, who seemed the least interested person in the Court. His manner was listless and indifferent. He seated himself on the hob of the fireplace and did not move for hours, or manifest the slightest comprehension of what was transpiring. Towards the close of the proceedings he was apparently wearied of the sitting posture he had assumed, and stood up. A pitiful object he seemed to be, his manner absent, his features pale, and, set off by his dark scrubby whiskers, their pallor seemed greater. The evidence of Crowley’s daughter, Mr Prater, and others was taken. Several witnesses gave evidence to the effect that, since a fall prisoner sustained a fortnight ago, his manner had been strange. One witness, Ambrose Trust, deposed that the change was in his manner as well as in his looks. He did not seem to he as lively as he was before, or so communicative. The witness said—“ He appeared depressed and to have lost his spirits. He was generally very communicative with me when we met, hut he was not so on this occasion. It appeared to me that the man’s health was failing, and that he had suffered some shock. Ton days ago I advised him to see a doctor, and this was repeated during the week, and again was repeated last Saturday by Mr Prater, Mr Hack, and myself.” Dr. Fitzgerald, who examined the body of the murdered woman deposed that there was a large would on the right temple. It was a triangular wound, four inches wide and five inches long, deep into the base of the brain. Close to that, over the right eye was another triangular wound four inches wide and four inches deep, also into the base of the brain. The whole of the orbit of the right eye was gone, and the forehead was smashed to hits. The roof of the mouth and upper jaw on both sides and the teeth were gone. The lower jaw was gone on both sides, and there was not a whole tooth in her head ; all were smashed to powder. The first wound would cause instant death, and the others were given after she was dead. After the verdict of “Wilful murder” had been returned, the prisoner had an interview with his daughter, and subsequently he made provision for the daughter’s maintenance.