Henley Murder Trial; Alleged Statement By Accused

Northern Advocate, 19 July 1938, Page 8

Henley Murder Trial; Alleged Statement By Accused

[Per Press Association. —Copyright.} DUNEDIN, Tliis Day. HTHE TRIAL OF ERIC SANDAGGER PARKS, AGED 28, WHO IS X CHARGED WITH THE MURDER OF FRANCES AMELIA LEE, AT HENLEY, ON APRIL 14, WAS COMMENCED IN THE SUPREME COURT YESTERDAY, AND IS EXPECTED TO OCCUPY FOUR DAYS. THE ACCUSED PLEADED NOT GUILTY, In opening the case for the Grown, Mr F. B. Adams said it was not foi him to foretell the line the defence would, take, but he anticipated the controversy would ultimately be found to be whether Parks committed murder or manslaughter. The Crown Prosecutor outlined the alleged facts. He said the body of the murdered woman was found on the morning of Good Friday by a farmer who employed her as housekeeper. The daughter of deceased, whose engagement to the accused had been terminated, also slept in the house, and was awakened by the accused shining a torch in her face, but heard nothing of any happenings in her mother’s room. The accused was found next day in a boarding-house in the city, almost at death’s door from gas poisoning.

“Very Much in Love.” The case was narrowed down, con-

tinued Mr Adams, by a statement made within the last few days by the accused, with his counsel’s knowledge. The Crown Prosecutor read this statemen 1 :, which related the history of the acquaintance with, and engagement to, the deceased’s daughter, Frances Lee. He stated that he was very much in love with her. and thought she was with him. He described the money spent in buying furniture for his future home, and the opening of a banking account for Frances, and also paying her board. He spent over £3O on rental cars and taxis taking Frances about. He mostly got on pretty well with Frances’ mother, but lately he knew she was interfering to get Frances 'to break the engagement. About mid-January, Frances went into hospital with an abscess on her back. Some trouble arose over something he was supposed to have said to her employer about the abscess not being caused by an accident. It was Mrs Leo and her other daughter who imputed this statement to him, and he was very hurt, for he had not made it. After her discharge from hospital, he noticed a change in her, and in March, she said she had decided to break the engagement. “Jealous, Overgrown Schoolboy.” Continuing, the accused said he was terribly upset, and could tell Miss Lee *-;as being forced into this addon. Later they made it up. she saying it was all her mother’s doing. Again later she wrote, breaking the engagement. The accused then described how he hired a truck on the night of the charge to go to Henley to try to get Frances to come home with him. He tapped on the window-pane, and Mrs Leo answered, and allowed him to go in. She was in bed. He asked if she would allow Frances to go with him. She lost her temper completely, calling him all sorts of things. She said Frances had broken the engagement because she made out that he was a big. jealous, overgrown schoolboy, and that he would not see Frances then or at any other time. The statement then proceeded: “She said: ’You are always trying to cause trouble and make the girl’s life a hell,’

She said Frances would never get any pleasure in life married to a thing like me.” Was Muddled-up Haze. “I don’t" know what happened to me,” continued the statement, “but my head seemed to burst. I don't remember clearly what, happened. Everything seemed to be a muddled-up haze. I remember suddenly realising that Mrs Lee was bleeding a lot. I was panicstricken. I remember rushing out and trying to electrocute myself on their switchboard, but I couldn't do so. I remember, in a dazed way, going in to see Frances, but not exactly what happened in there.” Later, the statement continued, accused drove to Hemsley’s factory, where he tried to electrocute himself by throwing a wire over the powerline. He got a severe shock. Ho remembered returning to his room, but not turning on the gas. It was some days after he woke up in hospital before he was able to remember anything of what happened. He remembered police officers asking questions, but could not remember what was said Evidence was given by Dr. Wylie, of Outram, who was called to the scene of the tragedy, and Dr. Eric Frederick D'Ath, professor of pathology at Otago University.' and the hearing was then adjourned. Daughter Gives Evidence. Frances Amelia Lee, daughter of the deceased, said her mother had been Smith's housekeeper for three years. Witness had been keeping company with the accused, who stayed for 'two or three months at Smith's hut. Witness and accused became engaged in September, 1937. Trouble arose between witness and the accused while witness was in hoscital early in 1938. Accused was alleged to have told her employer something about witness. Details of events leading up to the breaking-off of the engagement between witness and accused followed. A reconciliation took place, but witness again changed her mind, and once again broke nhe engagement. In this connection the registrar read a letter written by witness to accused. two

days before the tragedy, in which witness said she intended to end the engagement altogether. Came For Ring, Continuing, witness said that on the night of the tragedy she was awakened by the accused flashing a torch in her face. He appeared very agitated, and was shaking. He said he had come for the engagement ring. She said he could get it himself and she would call her mother if he did not go. He said it was a dirty, sneaking thing for her to go out with Horace Parsons. During the ensuing conversation, the accused said he did not care what happened nor if he got 14 years. Before he went, he said: “Good-bye. Frances. You’ll never see me again." Before going, he, stated he had a motor-car outside, and had told his mother he was going to their home at Foi«t Molyneux, taking witness with him. She heard Parks go outside and watched him return to the car. Noticed Peculiar Smell. Witness added that after Parks’ departure she went to her mother’s door, peering round and asking was she awake. There was no reply, and she thought her mother was asleep. There was a peculiar smell after Parks left, but it did not occur to her that the 1 smell might be blood. Witness finally returned >to bed. Later she heard Mr Smith say that someone had been in the house. She heard Mr Smith ask her mother if she was awake, and then entering the deceased’s bedroom. He then came to witness' room very upset and, because of something he told her. she remained in bed. The sledge hammer (produced) was identified by witness, who said it was kept in the tool-shed. As far as she knew, it had never been in the house before. Intended to Marry Him. Cross-examined by Mr White, witness stated that she fully intended to marry the accused after their engagement. She really thought the accused loved her. One of his acts was to open a Savings Bank account for her. depositing £7. During three weeks she was in Dunedin, he paid her board for her while she stayed at his boarding-, house. He also financially assisted her to pay off a costume. Until the dispute concerning whether workers' compensation should be paid to her for an injury sustained at work, there had been no unhappiness between them He offered to send her for a trip to the North Island to keep her away from her mother. On one occasion when the latter and witness had a row. she threatened to leave, but the accused interfered.