MAREO GUILTY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 18 June 1936, Page 7

MAREO GUILTY

DEATH SENTENCE PASSED JURY AWAY 21 HOURS CONDEMNED MAN SHOW'S CONSIDERABLE EMOTION (By Telegraph—Press Association) AUCKLAND, 17th June. For the second time this year, Eric Mareo, a well-known musician of Auckland, had to-night to hear the jury bring in a verdict of guilty of murder against him and to listen to- the judge pronouncing the sentence of death. There was a very large crowd about the precincts of the Court when the final decision came at a somewhat earlier hour than had been expected. When the first trial, on the same charge was concluded on 26th February, the verdict was one of guilty with a very strong recommendation to mercy. No such recommendation was made to-night. The trial began on Ist June and thus lasted 14 days. The jury retired at 5.30 and were back in their places a few minutes after 8 o’clock. Mareo showed considerable emotion in the few sentences he addressed to the Court before Mr Justice Callan pronounced the inevitable sentence of death. The charge against Mareo, who is 45 years of age, was that he murdered his wife Thelma Clarice Mareo, aged 29 years, at Auckland; on 15th April of last year, by administering a poison, veronal, to her. Before sentence was passed, Mareo was asked by the Registrar if he had anything to say. “It is very hard to say anything under the circumstances,” said Mareo, his voice showing signs of emotion, “because it is the second time I have been through this terrible ordeal. I can only say that it seems to me, from a logical and clear-minded man’s reasoning, and from the way the whole of this case has been conducted by all the counsel and after your Honour’s—may I say marvellous —summing up, I have been sentenced on the lying word of Freda Stark. I ought not to say that,” he added after a pause, “but what can I say? Nothing more. Sentence was then passed and Mareo slowly left the dock.