CHARGE OF MURDER

Kaikoura Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 49, 20 June 1938, Page 4

CHARGE OF MURDER

THEN HENLEY TRAGEDY. DUNEDIN, June 15. The Lower Court hearing of the charge against Eric Sandagger Parks, aged 26, of murdering Frances Amelia Lee at Henley on April 14, was resumed to-day. The deceased’s mother, Sarah Erickson, stated that the deceased was 48 years old. The accused had visited her home with Miss Lee. She last saw the accused on the evening of April 14, when he made inquiries regarding an order book he had left at a cafeteria. The witness did not hear the accused say anything about going to Henley. There was nothing unusual about his actions or his appearance. Thora Selinda Erickson, cafeteria assistant and daughter of the previous witness, stated that she had known the accused for a year, first meeting him at the farm at Henley. She could not say what terms existed between the accused and the deceased. The accused delivered soft drinks to the cafeteria on April 14. He appeared quite normal and she saw him at her mother’s home the same evening. At this stage the witness broke down and the evidence was suspended. Jessie Morris said that the accused had boarded with her for six months. She had mot his fiancee, Frances Loe, who had also boarde'd with her for three weeks. The accused had told her that his engagement was broken. He was very upset, saying, “I can’t do without her.” He then went out, returning cheerful with the remark that the matter had been settled. On the accused’s birthday, April 13, he told the witness that he had a letter again breaking off the engagement. The accused did not appear so upset as before. He had been unwell for a month and was depressed on the Wednesday, but there was not anything unusual on the evening of April 14. The accused was quite normal when he camo horn?. He changed his clothes and went out, later returning when he said he could not get a hired car but had obtained a light truck and was going away. He had previously told her he intended to visit his mother at Port Molyneux. He seemed in a hurry and was a little excited. The witness did not hoar him return, but when she came out of her bedroom in the morning she smelt gas, but thought it was just an escape from a gas ring. She went to hod again for two hours, after which her daughter said something about gas. She went upstairs, knocking on the accused’s room without response. Later, she broke open the door ami opened a window. The room was filled with gas, two burners being turned on. Cross examined by the accused’s counsel, witness said: “I’ve nothing to say against the accused. He was always a very decent chap.” Hired a Truck. William Robert O’Fee, company manager, said that he had known the accused for some years. On April 14 the accused had asked for the use of a ear for the night to go to his home at Port Molyneux. There was none available, and the accused agreed to take a truck. The speedometer then showed 115 miles. The accused mentioned that he would want the truck until 11 o’clock the next morning. There was nothing unusual in his actions or his speech. When the truck was returned the speedometer showed 202 miles, or a 47inile run. There was fine, loose clay on the seat next to the driver’s but no sign of blood. Cross examined, the witness said that the accused chose a truck with a cab, saying that it would bo warm for his girl during the- drive to Port Molyneux. Walter Homsley, cordial manufacturer and brother-in-law of the accused, said he had noticed nothing peculiar about the accused’s demeanour during the last two or three weeks he had been "working. To the accused’s counsel witness said he had several times visited the accused when the latter was in hospital subsequent to April 14. The accused had been seriously ill for nine weeks. William Southgate, retired constable, said he accompanied Dr. Wylie to Smith’s farm. The first thing the witness noticed was a sledge hammer Testing on a sack to the left of the porch. The witness described the finding of the body. ACCUSED COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. DUNEDIN, June 15. The preliminary hearing of the charge of murder against Eric Sandagger Parks, aged 28, was conclude! in the Magistrate’s Court this afternoon. The accused pleaded not guilty, and, reserving his- defence, was committed to the Supreme Court for trial, the. Magistrate intimating that he would reserve his finding in the inquest until after the Supreme Court proceedings.