Henley Murder Case

Northern Advocate, 21 July 1938, Page 12

Henley Murder Case

DUNEDIN. This Day. Further evidence was heard in the Supreme Court yesterday at the trial of Eric Sandagger Parks, aged 28, on a charge of murdering Frances Amelia Lee at Henley, on April 14, to which accused pleaded not guilty. Detective-Sergeant Taylor ghve evidence of arresting the accused, who said: “It is a shock. I think you have made a bit of a mistake this time.” This concluded the Crown’s - case, and Mr White intimated that no-evi-dence would be called for the defence. Crown Addresses Jury. In his address to the jury, Mr Adams said there were three possible verdicts that could be returned by a jury. In the first place, there-was murder, but if the jury could not agree on that issue it was invited to bring in a verdict of manslaughter, although that charge was not. ..preferred by the prosecution. The third course was to find, the accused not guilty of either charge. In the lastmentioned event, however', the jury would have no possible grounds for such a course. ;;; The killing of the deceased hadbeen proved beyond any shadow,.of doubt, and murder was the proper charge on which the jury should convict. Murder had been proved, and the jury should find accordingly. Counsel invited the jury to accept the view that die woman was murdered in her sleep by someone who was familiar With the house .and who was Sufficiently himself to be able to make a noiseless entry, and that someone was ••accused. ' ;; When Mr Adams had concluded his ,;ddress the Court adjourned until--10 o’clock this morning.