GREY LYNN TRAGEDY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22099, 1 November 1933, Page 8

GREY LYNN TRAGEDY

TRIAL OF EDWARDS DEFENCE PLEADS INSANITY (Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, October 31. The trial was continued this morning of John Herbert Edwards, aged 41, on a charge of murdering Mrs Christian Cunningham at Grey Lynn on August 10. Evidence .was given by Constable C. Williams, who was on duty at the bedside while the accused was in hospital, concerning statements made by him at various times. Edwards bad said: “ I was no coward; J killed the woman I loved. I had a nervous breakdown about sevenmonths ago. It is a terrible thing when a man is in a state like that. He does not know what he does. When I went down to the house that morning, something led me there. When I did it something seemed to snap. When a man is insane he does not know what he is doing. No, I’ll plead not guilty to his Worship.” Cross-examined after recounting these and other remarks, witness said he did not think anybody else heard any of the statements, which were made prior to Edwards undergoing an operation. Constable Howe give evidence concerning other statements, Edwards spoke several times of a nervous breakdown, and said he had had no sleep for 10 weeks. His conscience was clear, as he remembered nothing about it.

Another constable said the accused told him he would be better dead. On August 20 he said: “I am as sane now as I have ever been in my life.” He also said his curse would be on all who were jeering at him. Another time he said: “I forgive everyone. When a man has a breakdown he does things he would not otherwise do.” Something went in his head. •, ’ A detective said no trace had been found .of the instrument used to inflict the injuries on Mrs Cunningham’s head. ’

Opening the case for the defence, Mr Hall Skelton said he did, not doubt that the Crown had proved Edwards responsible for the killing. The question , for the jury was whether, at the time, the accused was insane. The vital facts to be considered were the absence of motive, no concealment of the crime, and no attempt to escape. Numerous witnesses would be called to show the type of man the accused was before the. offence. There would be evidence that ho once had the fantastic idea that he was a new Messiah, and that because of his queerness many people thought him a shellshock, case.

-The first witness for the defence was Mrs Elizabeth Phillips. She said she had known Edwards for 12 years. Frequently he would sit on the back ,stops, bury his head in his hands and begin singing loudly. She remembered an occasion about 10 years ago when he was at the foot of Summer street' shouting out that someone had tried to murder him.

John Henry Rush said he had known Edwffrds for several years. Edwards used to sell tea to witness. Frequently when he called he would burst into song, One of his favourite songs was “ If 1 Could Plant a Tiny Bit of Love in a Corner of Your Heart.” Edwards was very shaky at times, and witness thought him a shell-shock case. Witness related an occasion about five years ago when Edwards was in Ponsonby road. Edwards knocked his head against a post, tipped his hat off and began to shout. Witness went over to him, and Edwards, holding his hands to his head, complained about blood flowing from it when actually there was no blood. James Robert Robertson, auctioneer, said he first knew Edwards in 1927 when Edwards purchased a farm of 10 acres at Mount Roskill from witness. It was not long before witness discovered that Edwards was a strange and excitable individual. At one time Edwards spoke of a new religion and said he intended to go to Australia to spread the movement. At times Edwards would discuss farm matters quite rationally and at other times he would ramble in his conversation, and it was difficult to pin him down to any one topic. Eventually. Edwards walked off the farm without saying a word to anyone and went to Australia. Ho left the stock to look after itself. The court adjourned until to-morrow.