THE LEVIN TRAGEDY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19952, 20 November 1926, Page 14

THE LEVIN TRAGEDY.

INQUEST ON VICTIMS. CHARGE AGAINST SLOMAN. COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. (Special to Dailx Times.) WELLINGTON, November IS. There were further developments in regard to the recent tragedy at Levin in the Palmerston North Court to-day, when a police witness produced three letters which, it was stated, William George Sloman, poultry farmer, of Levin, had written after allegedly attacking his wife, daughter, ans son. “My brain seems to have "one,” he wrote. “I cannot endure life any longer, and I cannot leave the wife and children to suffer. I have sent them to Heaven, and am going also.” Before the criminal proceedings were taken a double inquest was held concerning the death of Mrs Sloman and her daughter Rita on November 5 and November 18 respectively, as the result of a murderous assault on them in their bedrooms at Sloman’s residence in Levin on the former date. The coroner, Mr A. J. Graham, presided. Sloman was in attendance, and during part of the evidence sat with his head in his hands.

In evidence, Arthur Horace Strong, a labourer, of Levin, stated that prior to, and until November 9 he was in the employ of William George Sloman, poultry farmer, of Levin. On November 4 witness finished his work on the farm at 5.45 p.m. At about 7.30 a.m. next day witness knocked at the back d or of his employer’s house, and, receiving no reply, went on to the farm in search of Sloman. Failing to find his employer, witness returned to the house, and after repeated knocking extending over a period of half an hour looked through a side window and saw the boy Russell Sloman in bed covered in blood. Witness at once informed Constable Bagrie, and the two returned to and entered the house. In a front bedroom they found Mrs Sloman on a bed in an unconscious condition with wounds in her head. Sloman himself was in the same room on another bed, and also unconscious.

Constable Bagrie, of Levin, described his visit to Sloman’s residence in company' yvith Strong. The back door was closed, but not locked. Witness detailed the discovery of members of the family, and added that after Strong left he found Rita Sloman in another bedroom. She was in bed, and bore a wound on her forehead, while the pillow and bedclothes were covered with blood. Witness found three letters spread out on the kitchen table. These were as follow: —

Dear Ernie, —My brain seems to have gone. 1 cannot endure life any longer, and I cannot leave the wife and children to suffer. I have sent them to heaven, and am going also. May God forgive me if I have done wrong, but I could see no other way out. Good-bye.—W. G. S.” Charlie Odlin, —Forgive me for the rash deed. I could stand it no longer, and could not leave the wife and children to suffer. —Yours, W. G. S. Official Assignee,—Realise what you can on my estate. Pay the creditors and remit the balance to my brother in Adelaide (name and address here given). My insurance is in the A.M.P. and mother’s and children's money in the Savings Bank (this letter was not signed). Continuing, witness said that in the sink he found a tomahawk covered *n blood and hair. There was also a small earthenware bowl, and a tumbler which appeared to have been used. Steps* were taken to administer an emetic to Sloman, who later remarked to witness: “ I have caused you a lot of trouble.” Sloman then asked if witness thought the cyanide would do its work, as there was plenty of it. Dr L. J. Hunter, of Levin, who had been summoned to the house, said that the injuries could have been caused by some blunt instrument. Witness noticed no marks of violence on 1 Sloman, who, however, was suffering from the effects of poison. Dr J. L. Frazer, medical superintendent of the Palmerston North Hospital, said that Mrs Sloman was dead upon the arrival of the ambulance at the institution. Sloman and the two children were also on the conveyance. On November 18 Rita Sloman passed away at the hospital as a result of the injuries received. The coroner returned a verdict in each case of death as a result of injuries inflicted by William George Sloman. CHARGE OF MURDER. Sloman was then charged in court before Messrs F. C. Aisher and J. A. M’Leavey, justices of -the peace, with the murder of his wife at Levin on November 5. The depositions taken at the inquest were put in as evidence. In addition. Senior Detective Quirke stated that he was present at the house in Levin when Dr Hunter handed to Constable Bagrie some liquid, which he said he had extracted from the stomach of Sloman. Detective Russell stated that on November 8 he arrested Sloman upon the latter’s discharge from the hospital. Sloman said: “It seems anout 100 years since this happened. I know that my wife is dead and gone, but that does not worry me. I am worried about the children. I may have maimed them mentally and physically for life.” Witness stated that an analysis of the liquid found in the utensils revealed evidence of cyanide of potassium, or sodium. This concluded the case for the police. Accused, who remained composed throughout, had nothing to say, and was committed to the February session of the Supreme Court in Palmerston North for trial. A further charge—namely, of murdering his daughter Rita, was then preferred against Sloman. When the youth Strong was in the box Sloman asked the following questions; You know that my wife and I were on the best of terms, and that the house was a happy one? —Yes Sloman: And, further, you know that for some time I had not been well?—Yes. Sloman: And the losses of the farm had worried me considerably?—That is right. Accused was committed for trial, as on the first charge.