EXHUMED BODY

Northern Advocate, 24 May 1928, Page 10

EXHUMED BODY

TRACES OF MORPHINE,

A WOKING SENSATION,

(Australian Press Association.) (Received 1.40 p.m.) LONDON, May 23. Following up the sensational development in the Pace murder case, public interest is centred in the inquest concerning the death of Hiliary Eougier, aged 76 years, a bachelor farmer at Woking. The case has taken a remarkable turn, owing to the examination of William Lerwill, a well-dressed man in the early thirties, in whose house itougier was living when he died on August 14, 1926. The body was exhumed two months ago and an inquiry ordered by the Home Office. Lerwill, in evidence today, admitted that he had between £SOOO and £6OOO from Rougicr by cheques, j Other evidence was to the effect that when Eougicr was exhumed morphine was found in the body. Lerwill said he had no idea how the morphine came to be there. He had a recollection that Rougicr asked him to get laudanum for dogs suffering from eczema. He admitted that many of the cheques were in his handwriting, but the signature was Rougicr’s. He had only £SO left after he had received £6OOO. This was mostly in the form of gifts, as Lerwill was in financial difficulties. Mr Hardwick, a solicitor, gave evidence that he personally met Rougicr, explaining that Lerwill was in financial difficulties. Rougicr said he liadj known Lerwell since boyhood and wasf willing to help him to avoid bankruptcy. Mr Hardwick added that he thought Rougicr must be wealthy, in view of the free manner in which he

gave money.