CHARGE OF MURDER.

Mataura Ensign, 18 March 1909, Page 4

CHARGE OF MURDER.

Till-; W.UT.USA TiIAUHDY. run t':vn i::j ruiiss AKt'OCiA'noN. NEW PLYMOUTH, March 17. The trial oL Edward Jonathan Goode, ot Haitara, for the murder of Mrs Alary Ellen Klenner was commenced to-day before Mr Justice Chapman. Accused appeared in Court calm and collected,. and closely followed the proceedings. Mr Skerrett, K.C., wtith Mr A. H. Johnstone, appeared lor the defence, and Mr T. S. Weston (Crown Prosecutor) with .Mr C. It. Weston prosecuted. .Airs Goode was present in Court. A plea of not guilty was entered. Formal evidence of the localities was given, and deceased's depositions read. Ida Klenner, daughter ol' deeeusad, gave evidence as to hearing yhots lired, and linding her mother shot in the sitting room. She had recognised Goode's voice previously. Myrtle Trim, aged 12, gave evidence that she saw Goode going from Kleiiner's to his own house. Mrs Goode assisted him up the steps. He fell on reaching the surgery door, and said something to Mrs Goode like: "My Cod! leave me alone." lie seemed to he excited, and was not, walking straight. He had his hands stretched out to either sido. Joseph FiUsiminons gave evidence as to linding Mrs Klenner. She said she had been shot by Goode, and added that she was dying, ynd had only a few minutes to live. She told witness to fetch her lui.vband. The reason given to witness by Mrs Klenner for accused shooting her was Unit he had wanted herself, and she had refused him. She also said that he lired two shots at her at close range.; Mrs Clare corroborated the last wiLness, and stated that Mrs Klenner said to witness that she was certain Coode was mad, or he would not, have done it. Witness said she had known accused about eight years and had nul.ieril lor suit!" \ears paM. that Goode had given way to drink, lie was the. kind of drinker that got drunk only in lioul.s, and was not a continuous dtinker. I '.uuly Spurdle ga\ e evidence on similar lines. Drs. Fookes and Claridge gave evidence as to the condition of deceased, also the treatment of Goodc's injuries in the police station, where he raved considerably about the police iii resting him. Lie showed no symptoms of acute alcoholism. Alois Klenner, husband of the victim, said I hat when ho knelt down by his wife's side she said; "Oh, I,ou, I didn't, deserve this. I've been a good woman, and now. I've Wot to die. it, is ver v hard to leave my poor children and you." she told him that she opened the front door. Coode was oil the doorstep, lie went into the sitting room and said: "I want to speak to you." When she went in he closed the door and made a proposition to her, threatening to shoot her lif she did not comply. She tried to get out, but he locked the door. She sat down ou an easy chair; lie stood over her and lired two shots at her. He thru pulled over the chair she had been silling on, and asked: "Are you dead." She did not answer. Constable Price gave evidence of his arrest of Goode.