WEDDING DAY TRAGEDY

Grey River Argus, 22 March 1928, Page 5

WEDDING DAY TRAGEDY

ACCUSED TELLS STORY Of Brutal Crime ‘' I MUST HABE BEEN MAD.’ ’ AUCKLAND. Mprch 21. The trial is proceeding of Allan George Norgrove, 27. charged with the murder of his sister-in-law, Ernestine Alary Norgrove., at New Lynn, on March i. Mr Meredith (Crown Solicitor) prosecut >d. Mr Allan J. Moody appeared for Norgrove. Mr McKean, S.Ai.. was on the Bench. The Magisterial tr.nl and inquest proceedings were taken simultaneously. Air Aler.-dith said the deceased. Airs Norgrove, was a widow, her husband having died about three years ago. She had been living with her daughter Alavis and her son David. There were three other children in an orphanage. Accused was brother of deceased’s late husband. Her daughter Mavis at the time of the tragedy was engaged to a young man named George Firth. The front bedroom of Norgrove’s house at Cardwell Street. New Lynn, was occupied by Mis Norgrove and her (laugh-

“The evident ? will disclose that illicit relationship took place between the accused and the* dead woman,’’ said counsel. “ Norgrove visited her at week ends, and sometimes during the week. On those occasions deceased used to sleep in the boy’s bedroom with Norgrove, while David went into the front room with, his sister Alavis. It will appear from the evidence that accused had the boy and his sister terrorised. and that he had assaulted them Ireqiiently. The quarrel that led to the tragedy was in connection with the proposed wedding of Mavis that was to take place on the day of the tragedy. ’ ’ l.vidciice would be brought, cont.nued counsel, showing that a previous violent assault was committed by accused upon his sister-in-law. On that occasion Norgrove struck deceased twice on the jaw and broke her false teeth. A neighbour who was sent for would testify that accused said: “I will get her yet.” A week before the tragedy accused and Mrs Norgrove had another quarrel. Accused asked Airs Norgrove where Alavis and Firth were going to live when they got married. Mrs Norgrove said: “With me in my house.’’ Accused said, “They are not going to live with you.” Airs Norgrove then told him that they were, and that she paid the rent for the house. took a knife and said to deceased, ‘‘l’ll run it through you. ’ ’ The following statement was made by accused: ‘‘l am a single man, 27 years of age. I reside with my parents in Sussex Street, Grey Lynn. 1 have been spending week-ends with my sister-in-law, Airs Ernestina Mary Norgrove at Cardwell Street. New Lynn, every week-end. About 10.45 on March 7th I went out to my sister-in-law’s house, arriving shortly after 11 a.m. Airs Norgrove’s daughter Alavis and her soul David, aged 18 and 12 respectively, went out, leaving me alone in the house. Mrs Norgrove came in later. Mrs Norgrove and I had some words in th? kitchen. One word brought another. Airs Norgrove went, into her bedroom. I followed her. I left the bedroom, went to the bathroom, picked up a flatiron and went back to the bedroom. We had some more words. I struck her on the head with the flatiron. She fell on the floor of the bedroom. I struck her several times when she was on the floor. I do not know how many times, as I must have been mad. After I had struck Mrs Norgrove down, 1 left the house. Before I left the house, I locked it up and took back the door key. I have spent most week-ends for twelve months with Mrs Norgrove at New Lynn. Her husband died three years ago. 1. then reported the matter to (’onstable Leslie at the Ponsonby Police Station. 1 went to see Airs Norgrove on March 7, to see if she was going to the daughter, Mavis’s, wed- | ding at the Registrar’s office that day. Mrs Norgrove told me that the wedding party was going to be held at a hall in New Lynn. I objected to her going, because I was not friendly with the bridegroom, George Firth. She said she was going to the wedding, and I said she wasn’t. When she went into tl’.e bedroom to put on her hat.. an argument, startl’d, and caused me to do what 1 did.” MARRIED DAUGHTER S EVIDENCE. AUCKLAND, March - r I. Evidence was given by doc Lors as to the terrible injuries received by deceased. The daughter, Mavis Martha Firth (she has been niajuried since the tragedy) gave evidence at length. She said accused had been in the habit of coming to the house every week-end and sometimes during the week. Norgrave had objected to Firth and had told him to keep away from the house. A quarrel had occurred on February 26, betwen witness’s mother and accused, over the question as to wheher witness would continue to live at home after her marriage. Accused had threatened Mrs Norgrove wfith. i a knife. A further quarrel occurred on the Wednesday following, when accused said to deceased: “You’d never /.see them married.”

Several more witnesses gave evidence, and the Crown case was con'cluded at 3.45 p.m. After tEe usual warning had been given accused had nothing to say and was committed for trial.

The Coroner, Mr W. R. McKean, brought in the following verdict: “that deceased died at her home at New Lynn, on March 7, and that the cause of death was a fracture of the skull, and laceration of the brain following injuries inflicted by accused.”