THE MAYFIELD MURDER.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 44, 22 October 1913, Page 5

THE MAYFIELD MURDER.

VERDICT OF WILFUL MURDER. [Per Press Association.] Ashburton, October 21. The inquest touching the death ol Rosanna, Lilley was held at the watchhouse at the police station to-day, be fore the coroner, Mr V. C!. Day, S.M. The doctor had stated that the prison or Riddle was still too weak to go t( the Courthouse. Superintendent Kiely, of Cluistehnrch, conducted the case for the po lice, Detectives Fahey and Gibson a I so being in attendance. Riddle sat opposite the coroner. He looked con. siderably better than when he \va: arrested on Sunday, but he was stil very shaky. When asked by the coroner at the end of each statements if he had any questions tc ask ho replied firmly in the negative He followed all the evidence with in terest, making interjections severa' times. Evidence was given by the deceased's husband, John Aden Lilley; b; Charles E. ft. Reudle, medical prac titioner; by Leonard Lilley. deceased'; eldest son, aped eight ; by Robert Montgomery (a neighbor); and !>;■ Constable Turner. The mere 'factof the case were disclosed, except thaj the nature of the injuries 'was showr bvthe medical testimony.

Dr. Rendle minutely described the injuries on the.-head, which as was 1 •' lit ■ stated in the original telegrams, wen of. ii. shocking jiiature. DT.' Reridb further said that he had oxaHrinWl tli lower part of the body for. aigns .0' alleged assault, but could not s;n whether there had or had not boon a' assault. Death had been duetto frae tiire of the skull, the wounds beiiv such as could have been inflicted b; the hammer produced.

"When asked if he wished to giv< evidence, the prisoner rsuhef] "Xo T am not in a fit, ptnto to/igive'evi deirc&V The coroner said that the evidenc was very straightforward. After sum ming up lie found that the cause o the death of Rosanna Lilley was I'rac tnre of the skull, wilfully caused b' Alfred Mortran Biddle. Biddle was then further" remand:*to appear at the Ashburton polk" Court on Tuesday next.