ALLEGED MURDER

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 1179, 29 November 1924, Page 7

ALLEGED MURDER

DEATH OF AN INFANT. An inquest, which was followed by Police Court proceedings, was held at Otaki yesterday concerning the death of a newly-born male child which was found dead on the Otaki beach on November 14. Air A. Eraser, coroner, of Eoxton, conducted the inquiry, while Air T. Brown, the newly-appointed coroner for the Otaki district, was also on the bench. Air Dunldey, with him Air Alazeugarb, appeared for Eileen Bree, who was named as the mother of the child, and Detective-Sergeant Quirke and Detective Holmes, of Palmerston North, appeared lor the police. Evidence was given by William George Mauley, of Tokomaru, who stated that, during part of November, his wife occupied a cottage at Otaki beach, witness visiting the place at week-ends. Eileen Bree was employed by bis wife as a domestic servant, and bad lived with Airs Alan-, ley at the beach. After other evidence had been heard relative to the finding of the body, the coroner returned a verdict that the child died from the effects of exposure owing to the mother, Eileen Bree, leaving him naked on the beach shortly after birth. JR THE CAPITAL CHARGE. Eileen Bree was subsequently charged at the Police Court before Alessrs H. Freeman and 11. Nicholson, J.’sP., that, on November 14, at Otaki beach, she did murder her illegitimate male child. The police representatives anil counsel for accused who appeared at the inquest were present at the court proceedings. Alervyn Webby stated that, on the morning of November 14 he was exercising a horse on the Otaki beach, when lie noticed the nuked body of a male child lying on the sand some ten yards from the water’s edge. He at once communicated with Constable Satherley.

Constable Satherley deposed to receiving information lroin the last witness on November 14 in consequence of which he accompanied Webby to the beach where he saw tlie body of a male child. At the time the tide was coming in. Later in the day, witness interviewed the accused as she was proceeding from Manley’s house towards the beach carrying an empty sugar sack. Witness questioned her, but for some time she did not answer. Asked by witness if she knew anything concerning the body of the child, she admitted that she was the mother of the baby which had been born early that morning. She had admitted also that the child was alive when horn and that she wrapped it in a blanket and placed it near the water’s edge. She then told witness that she returned after leaving the child on the bench to the house and lay down. Later, she said she was going to fetch the child in the sugar bag and bring it to the house. At the time, said witness, accused had a very worried look. She also named the father of the baby. Owing to the condition of health she was in accused was removed to the hospital. in reply to Mr Mttzengarb, witness said tho girl had a very worried, vacant look when lie questioned her. Sho was slow in answering questions, made rambling statements and appeared to be agitated. Her demeanour suggested that her mind was wandering and that she was suffering great pain, although she said she felt quite well.

George William Manley stated that he rented a house at the beach and had employed accused as a domestic servant to assist his wife.

Medical evidence was given by Dr. Sharp, who deposed to having examined the body of tlie dead child. There were no marks of violence on the body. He had conducted a post mortem examination and found that the body was that of a well-nourished full-time baby, which weighed Sjjlb at birth. The infant had not been drowned, and m witness’s opinion death was due to exposure. in reply to Air Mazengarb, witness stated that accused appeared to have suffered great pain and was confused when he first saw her. She had been under observation for a fortnight, and witness stated that her mental condition had greatly improved, although it was still below normal.

Detective Holmes gave evidence of the arrest. When lie apprehended accused and read over the warrant to her, she replied: “I have nothing to say.”

Asked if she had any statement to make, accused replied in the negative, whereupon she was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Bail was granted in self £IOO and two sureties of £SO each, a condition of bail being j that accused must stay with her I mother.