CHARGE OF MURDER.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 57, 4 February 1927, Page 7

CHARGE OF MURDER.

TRIAL OF JOHN MERRETT. FORAIER NEW ZEALANDER. LONDON, Feb. 2. At the trial. of John Donald Alerrott, aged 19, who is charged with murdering his mother, Dr Holcombe gave evidence that deceased, after admission to tire infirmary, said: “I was sitting writing letters. John was standing beside me, and 1 said: ‘Go away. Don’t annoy me.’ Next I heard an explosion and do not remember any more.” Dr Holcombe admitted that he did not write the statement down. Air Aitcheson (defending counsel): Are we at the mercy of your recollections ten months alter the event? Dr Holcombe : A'cs. Dr Holcombe gave evidence that Airs Merrctt was shot behind the ear. There was no sign of blackening or singeing. , . Airs Penn, deceased s sister, said that Airs Alerrott was married in New Zealand in 1907. Her husband was an electrical engineer. They separated before the war, and the mother and son returned to England in 1925. The son attended Malvern College for a year. The mother’s yearly income was £7OO. AVitness said that Air Alerrctt was now living in India. Witness added: “My sister, told me: ‘They say I had a fall, hut 1 doubt it. It was a sudden explosion, as if John shot me.’ ” The hearing was adjourned.—A. and N.Z. cable.

Previous to going to England Airs Alerrott and lier son lived at Havelock North, Hastings, and later at Oamaru, the son attending the Waitaki Boys’ High School. Airs Alerrott was found shot in a flat at Edinburgh.