DOMESTIC CRIME

Northern Advocate, 24 May 1928, Page 5

DOMESTIC CRIME

WOMAN FOULLY SLAIN

ASSOCIATE DENIES GUILT. IXCRIMINA TIXO EVIDEXCE. (Australian Press Association. 3 (Received 12.18 p.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. Miriam Merriman, aged 56 years, j residing at Middle Harbour, North Sydney, was found shot through the head, apparently with a pea rifle which was found in the house, recently discharged. Frederick Lawrence, 62 years of age, a painter, living with deceased for 20 years and claiming to be her husband, was arrested and charged with murder. He denied the charge, and told the police that deceased must have committed suicide, but the police found the pea rifle in another part of the house, entirely apart from the body. Lawrence’s sister, living a mile away, paid a chance visit to the house. When she learned what had happened she fell on her knees on the front verandah and prayed aloud for her brother and the dead woman. Curious crowds gathered and bared their heads. The police last night searched for a long time before they found deceased’s ten-year-old son, nearly frantic, at his aunt’s home. He told the police that he saw his "father” creeping along the passage towards his mother with the pea rifle. His father gave him a two-shilling piece to clear out quickly. The police learned that Lawrence was mostly unemployed lately and wanted the woman to shift to another suburb, but she was so attached to the place that she declined. ,