OPENING OF DEFENCE

Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 1 November 1933, Page 4

OPENING OF DEFENCE

GREY LYNN MURDER TRIAL EVIDENCE OF ACQUAINTANCES. ‘STRANGE AND EXCITABLE MAN.’ (By Telegraph—rress Association.! AUCKLAND. Oct. 31. The trial of John Hubert Edwards on the charge of murdering Mrs Cunningham was continued this afternoon. . The first witness for the defence was Mrs Elizabeth Phillips. She said she had known Edwards for 12 years. Frequently he would sit on the back steps, bury his head in his hands and begin singing loudly. She remembered an occasion about 10 years ago when he was at the foot of Summer Street shouting that someone had tried to murder him.

John Henry Rush said he had known Edwards for several years. Edwards used to sell tea to witness. Frequently when he called he -would burst into song. One of his favourite songs was “If I could plant a tiny bit of Love in the Garden of your Heart.” Edwards was very shaky at times and witness thought !h.im a shell shock case. .Witness related an occasion about five years ago when Edwards was in Ponsonby Road. Edwards knocked his head'-against ’a-post?, tipped his hat off and began' to shout. Witness went to him and Edwards; holding his hands' to his head, complained about blood flowing from it when actually there was no blood.

James Robert Robertson, auctioneer, said he first knew Edwards in 1927, when Edwards purchased a farm of 10 acres at Mt. Roskill from witness. It was-not long before witness discovered Edwards was a strange and excitable individual. At one time Edwards spoke of a new religion and said he intended to go to Australia to spread the movement. At times Edwards would discuss farm matters quito rationally ari at other times he would ramble in his conversation, and it was difficult to pin him down to any one topic. Eventually Edwards walked off the farm without saying a word to anyone and went to Australia. He left the stock to look after itself. The court adjourned until to-morrow.