MURDER TRIAL

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 141, 14 May 1930, Page 8

MURDER TRIAL

CHARGE OF WIFE MURDER. HEARING AT AUCKLAND. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, May 13. The trial of Arthur Thomas Munn •on the charge of murdering his wife at Northcote on February 14 was continued this afternoon. Mavis Leonie Munn, daughter of accused by his first marriage, stated that she was seventeen years of age and was at present living with her mother. While she was living at Northcote, Munn did not act toward his wife as he should. Sho was more like a person who worked for him. He spoke as if ho was annoyed with his wife.*"' On one occasion Munn chased his wife from the front of the house into her bedroom; he was calling out. Mrs Munn got into the bedroom and barricaded the door. Munn pushed at the door and banged at it with hie fists, but failed to gain admission. This sort of conduct lasted more or less all the time that witness was with her father. Her stepmother was upset by Munn s conduct, and witness had often scan her crying. Mr Northcroft: 1 take it your own mother bears enmity to your father.' Witness: Yes. Robert Rowan Bell, solicitor, said that he knew the late Mrs Munn and had acted for the Munn family. On December 24 last his firm received a letter from Mrs Munn in which she asked witness to prepare a will tor her. The will was prepared, and cn January 15 Mrs Munn signed it. The will left everything to her husband (accused) • To Mr Northcroft, witness said that in December last, just prior to Mrs Munn making her will, accused had his will made. The effect of it was that everything should be left to Mrs Munn. MATRIMONIAL ADVERTISEMENT. Evelyn Frances McGrath, an adveriising clerk employed by the Auckland Star, said that on October 10 last year a matrimonial advertisement was handed to her. Three insertions were requested by the man who handed in the advertisement. She could not remember the man, but she remembered asking him to insert the words ‘‘view matrimony” in the advertisement. The advertisement was not signed when the man entered the office. “Munn, Northcote,” was signed at the counter at witness’s request. Georgina Alberta Emily Stuck, widow, was the next witness. She said sne knew accused, and first met him some time in October last. She became acquainted with him through the advertisement in the Star. She replied to the advertisement, and then she heard from accused. The reply she received was signed ‘‘Arthur Thomas,” and an appointment was mado to meet her in Parnell. In the couno of conversation, witness continued, Munn said his wife had lost interest in him and the home. Witness detailed other meetings at which accused admitted bo was married and that Lis name was Arthur Thomas Munn. He told her he wanted a friend. Later witness went to Christchurch, and from there she wrote two letters to Munn. She received a telegram from Munn saying that his wife had had a stroke. Witness later returned to Auckland, and again met Munn. She asked how bis wife was, and he baid he thought she was easier. Lie thought she had had a stroke. She told Munn that she had got a position at St. Peter’s Rural Training College, Northcote. Witness said that on the Sunday afternoon Munn said that he was worried about his wife. On Monday, some time after ten o’clock, Munn took witness to the college. Munn said that ho did not think the doctor understood his wife's condition, and that he would call in another doctor. On Tuesday night, at about seven o’clock, Munn called at the college. He was very distressed. He broke down and said that his wife had gone. Witness then detailed how Munn asked her to keep house for him, and she went to the house. Munn had told her that there was to be an inquest. Witness was very surprised, and asked how his wife met her death. He said he thought by poisoning. Asked how it happened, he replied that be thought she did it herself. Ho asked witness not to tell anyone. Witness kept bouse for Munn for three weeks, from Saturday, February 15. She was there when he was arrested. MARRIAGE PROPOSAL. Mr Meredith: Was there any discussion of marriage while you were staying in the house ? Witness: Yes. Munn asked me if for the sake of the children I would marry him. He said that people would talk about my being in die house. I said that I would not marry him; that my first marriage had not been successful, and I wanted him to see other women before deciding on me. I also said that it was too soon after his late wife’s death, and that we would leave it stand until Christmas. Munn suggested that we should talk it over after the inquest. Witness added that when she went to keep house she had a ring belonging to her former marriage in iier handbag. Munn remarked on her not wearing it, and asked if sho had it. She produced it, and lie took possession of it, saying that he would keep it until he bought another for her. . , , The hearing was then adjourned until to-morrow.

THIRD DAY’S PROCEEDINGS. EVIDENCE OF HOUSEKEEPER. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, May 14. The murder trial entered the third day to-dny. Mrs Georgina Stuck, who became accused’s housekeeper after his wife s death, was cross-examined by Mr Northcroft. counsel for the defence. Mrs Stuck said that her daughter was present during most of her association with Munn. There was no attempt at love-making on her part. They talked of politics, and things in general. The basis of their relationship was friendship. Munn kissed her good-night once after he nad asked her to marry him. When she was in Christchurch and asLied Munn for a loan of £5, sho offered him security. Without the loan file could not have returned to Auckland. Munn did not know when she would return. When ho asked her to become his housekeeper he told her about the attitude his wife’s relatives were taking. Mrs Gill, who lived in the flat under the Munns’ residence, said that the day before Mrs Munn died sho saw her doing washing. She appeared to be bright and cheerful. About seven o’clock next morning Mrs Munn told witness that she had been to the pictures the night before. She said that she had a headache and went inside. About ten minutes later Munn’s little girl came and asked witness to go upstairs She found Mrs Munn sitting in a chair in the kitchen, her head thrown back. She was gripping the xnrown oaoß. , n< [ fr €r legs chair with her nana , TOed Xo were stretched out. DU ed Sul iml'rtinclly. Sr j(ive her water, she cried.

touch me.” Later Munn came m, saying that he had been for a doctor. Munn said that he did not know what was wrong. Witness added that at about three or four o’clock on the same afternoon she again saw Mrs Munn, who was collected and cool and seemed comfortable. Two days later witness saw her. She was still in bed, and was all nerves. On Friday evening witness had visited her and was surprised to see a change for the worse. Mrs Munn said: ‘‘Don’t worry me, I’m ill.” CRYING AND MOANING. Witness did not see her on the Saturday or Sunda- but at six o’clock on Sunday morning heard her crying and moaning. The cries were similar to those on the dav she took ill. They continued until Munn came down two hours later to ask witness to go for a doctor. Munn said that his wife had got out of bed, and he could not get her back, and that she could not get her breath very well. WITNESS FAINTS. After being cross-examined by Mr Northcroft, questioned by the Judge and re-examined by Mr Meredith, Mrs Gill fainted and was carried from the Courtroom by a doctor and the Court officials. As she did not recover quickly another witness was called. Mrs Mary Jane Brown, a neighbour, said that on February 5 Munn told her when she expressed her intention of seeing his wife that he did not want any damn women down there, as the doctor had said his wife must be kept quiet. He (Munn) was going to look after his wife himself. WANGANUI MURDER. REMAND IN MANLEY’S CASE. Per Press Association. WANGANUI, May 13. When Herbert Frederick Manley, who is charged with the murder of Gladys Cromarty, appears at the Magistrate’s Court next Saturday, the police will ask for a further remand. This will mean that Manley’s case wiil not be dealt with at the coming sessions of the Supreme Court, which open at Wanganui on Monday next, but will be held over until the sessions three months hence.