MAYFIELD MURDER

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8558, 22 October 1913, Page 10

MAYFIELD MURDER

THE CORONER’S VERDICT BIDDLE REMANDED FOR A WEEK. Press Association. ASHBURTON. October 21. An inquest touching the death of Rosanna Lilley was held at th© watchhouse at tho polico station to-day. before the coroner, Mr V. G. Day, S.M. A doctor had stated that tho prisoner Biddle was still too weak to go to the courthouse. Superintendent Kiely, of 'Christchurch, conducted tho case for *he police, Detectives Fahey and Gibsen also being in attendance. Biddlo sat opposite tho coroner. He looked considerably better than when invested on Sunday, but was still very shaky. When asked by the coroner at tho end of each witness’s statement if he had any questions to ask, ho replied firmly in the negative. He followed all the evidence with interest, and made interjections several times. Evidence was given by the bereaved ibueband, John Alen Lilley, by Charles B. R. Bondlc, medical practitioner, by Leonard Lilley, eldest son (aged eight) of deceased, by Robert Montgomery (a neighbour), and by Constable Turner. More facts wore disclosed, except tho nature of the injuries shown by medical testimony. Dr Rendlo minutely described the injuries on tho head, which were as originally telegraphed, and wore of a shocking nature. Dr Rendlo further said he had examined tho body for signs of the alleged assault, hut could not say whether there had or had not been an assault. Death had been due to fracture of tho skull, the wounds being such as could have been inflicted by the hammer produced. When asked if he wished to give evidence, the prisoner replied; “No, lam not in a fit state to give evidence.” The coroner said that the evidence was very.straightforward. After summing up he found that the cause of the death of Rosanna Lilley was a fractured skull, wilfully caused by Alfred Mortran Biddle. Biddle was then further remanded to appear at the Ashburton Polico .Court on Tuesday next. CURIOUS CROWDS FOILED. ASHBURTON, October 21. Biddle was taken from Ashburton to 'Lyttelton Gaol by the first express this afternoon. Ho will receive medical treatment there prior to appearing before the magistrate on remand at [Ashburton next Tuesday. On Monday morning a crowd of people had assembled at the courthouse expecting to see Biddle charged, but as he was in a weak state he was brought before the justices at the police station. This morning an even larger crowd, full of morbid curiosity, assembled at the courthouse, expecting th© inquest, which Biddle had to attend, would eventuate there. The prisoner’s weakness, however, made it necessary to hold the inquest at the station, and the curious ones were again foiled. Many were determined to see the prisoner, however, and a rumour of his impending removal attracted them to the railway station in largo numbers. The polico easily frustrated them by bringing Biddlo up in a motor-car at the last moment, and bustling him into an inconspicuously reserved compartment at the end of th© train opposite to what might have been expected. They drew the blinds just as the vanguard of the disappointed ones came along tho platform with a rush.