MURDER CHARGE AGAINST MUSICIAN

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 231, 1 October 1935, Page 7

MURDER CHARGE AGAINST MUSICIAN

Eric iareo Before the Court

HEARING COMMENCES AT AUCKLAND

Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Last Night

Eric Marco, aged 41, a musician, appeared iu the Police Court this morniug before Mr F. K. Hunt, SAL, on remand charged that on April 15 he* did murder Thelma Clarice Marco. Following the death of Marco’s 29-' year-old wife at the Auckland Hospital, an inquest was opened on the following day, and after evidence of identiiication was adjourned sine die, aud has not yet been completed. Marco was arrested on September 2.

Tho back of the Court was crowded this morning. Tho Crown ease is being conducted by Mr V. N. Hubble and Mr F. McCarthy, while Mr X. C. Ackins and Mr Trevor .Henry arc appearing for Marco. It is understood that thirty-four witnesses will be called by the Crown, including several experts. Reginald Riddell, of the Public Works Department, produced a plan of the house, No. 1 Tentcrdcn avenue, Mount Albert.

Elizabeth Patricia Mareo, aged 21, a daughter of accused, entered the wit-ness-box. She smiled at her father seated in the dock, Mareo smiling back. Witness said she was born In Eugland where hero mother died iu 1928. She left England in 1931 with accused and her brother Graham, proceeding to Sydney, where her father was an orchestral conductor until 1933, when he left on a New Zealand tour with tho Ernest Rolls theatrical company. Her father informed her by letter that lie had married Thelma Trott. Later witness and her brother came to Auckland and lived with their father and stepmother.

Witness said she did not get on very well with Mis Mareo, who was inclined to drink. Three weeks before the latter’s death witness had left Tenterden avenue but used to go back occasionally. She had tea at tho house on Friday, April' 12, with Mareo and her brother. Her father said Mrs Marco was unwell and in bed. Witness passed her in the passago wearing a dressing gflwn. As witness was leaving Mareo gave her an envelope marked “Not to be opened” until . after his death. It contained information of her parentage. Up till then she had regarded Marco as her father.

The lirst witness heard of Mrs Mareo’s death was when her brother telephoned on Monday, April 15, stating that she had been taken to hospital. Mrs Mareo had often been in bed sick. Sometimes sko would read and sometimes would bo “just dopey" aud would do nothing. Witness remembered a week-end when Eleanor Brownlee and Freda Stark were at the house. There had been a general argument. Mareo had been drinking a little.

“I think Mrs Marco did not like tho idea of Eleanor Brownlee staying over tho week-end," said witness. Mrs Marco left the house with Freda Stark and witness asked Miss Brownlee to slop over. Mrs Marco returned on the Sunday night. After her stepmother’s death witness was at Tenterden avenue on the Guod Friday week-end. Her father, brother and Eleanor Brownlee were also there. Witness found two bottles, and as there had been so much trouble during the previous week she removed the labels and burnt them. “I did not see why the chemist' should get into trouble too," said witness. This completed Miss Marco’s evidence.

Kenneth James Bark, a grocer's assistant, said he called as usual during the week preceding Airs Alarco's death. When he delivered groceries about 5 o'clock ou tho Thursday afternoon Mrs Marco seemed just as usual He had never noticed signs of liquor about her.

Boris Thornton, a butcher’s assistant, said lie called at the house daily. He saw Mrs Marco onco or twice during the week preceding her death. She was moving about as usual'. An Insurance Policy Stanley Stapleton Porter, an insurance agent, said that in 1934 Mrs Marco took out an industrial policy for £35. Witness called every Monday. When ho called on April 15 a stranger paid the premium. There was a fawn-coloured limousine outside the house. He had seen Mrs Mareo on the previous Monday in the washhouse rinsing out clothing. Hhe was normal and in her usual spirits. After conversation he posted a letter for Mrs Marco addressed to Mrs Trott, Gympic, Queensland. Ho had never noticed liquor on Mrs Mareo. No ciaim had been mado under the insurance policy. The accused knew it was in force.

Witness idcntiiled burnt paper produced by Mr Hubble as part of tlxe policy. Herbert Edwin. William Smith, civil servant, a member of Mareo’s orchestra, said he remembered Mrs Mareo playing the iead in the musical opera, ‘‘The Duchess of Danzig." He had often visited tho Marcos’ home and had never noticed signs of liquor on Mrs Mareo. She sometimes took light wine. When doing so she usually held her nose. On April 11 she was doing her work about the house quite in good health. Graham Eric Mareo, aged - 16, said that shortly before his stepmother died she said she was very tired and sleepy. While in bed on the Saturday morning he heard a couple of bumps from het bedroom. He found her holding on to the dressing table, swaying and talk* ing incoherently. He called his father who was in his bath. They helped her back to bed. Shortly after midnight on the Saturday, at his father’s request, witness purchased sal volatile from an all-night dispensary. He rang for a doctor on the Monday. Intimate Friend's Story Miss Freda Stark, an intimate

friend of Mrs Mareo who visited her frequently in Auckland, said Mrs Mareo did not drink to excess. On one occasion when she was with Mrs Marco accused burst open the bedroom door and said: “You ! You’ve insulted me in public. Here I was looking for my wife and making a fool of myself." “Mrs Marco was very frightened and hung on to mo,” continued Miss Stark. Witness went to a room aud then heard Mrs Mareo crying. Deceased ran into the room, Marco following her, and said her husband had hit her. Mrs Mareo was terrified and said: “Don’l let him get me!" Marco pulled Mrs Mareo, but she clung on to the bedpost. Witness ?>id Mrs Marco returned to the front room, when Mareo said: “Got out! Look ut you, you dirty drunken you! Get out on the streets where you belong!" Witness said Mrs Mareo replied: "1 would if you would givo me back my £500," Marco saying ho could not, as it would take him two years. Marco said: “You bought me with your £SOO. ”

AVitucss related another incident when Aliss Eleanor Brownlee .camo to stay at Alarco's house. Following this witness and Airs Alareo left the house. On the following day witness returned with Airs Alareo to pack her things. Airs Alarco decided to stay and talk things over with Alareo. Aliss Brownice left soon after they arrived. AAitncss said she saw’ Alareo later and lie said: ‘‘Everything is all right between Thelma and me. Tho silly kid! As :f I could possibly be in love with Eleanor. She hns no personality or looks.”

Witness said, slie never saw Mrs Marco under the influence of liquor to such an extent that she lost her senses. During the three weeks prior to her death Mrs Marco seemed to be in the best of health. Witness said that about this tirno Mrs Mareo seemed happy and accused and deceased appeared to be getting on all right. On Friday, April Id, Mrs Marco .was not well and during the week-end she was sleeping for some time. She seemed to be half-dazed, her voice seemed very muffled aud she could not keep her eyes open. Witness talked to her to try and keep her awake. Witness toi'd Marco his wife was waking up aud suggested that sal volatile would bring her round 1 prop'oriy.'* Witness was supporting Mrs Mareo, who could not keep her eyes open. Witness said to her: “Open your eyes, Thelma. You've been asleep all day. I’ve come out to spend the week-end with you.” Mr Hubble (for the Crown): Did she know' you? Witness: Yes. Mareo suggested telling her a funny story to keep her awake. And you tol'd her a funny story?— Yes. The Court adjourned till to-mor-row.