HUSBAND FACES CHARGE OF KILLING WIFE

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 30, 1 April 1930, Page 5

HUSBAND FACES CHARGE OF KILLING WIFE

FURTHER HEARING OF MUNN CASE. WIFE NOT WELL TREATED, WITNESS «AYS,. TO-DAY'S EVIDENCE; Presg Association—Copyright. AUCKLAND, This Day. At the further hearing of alleged wife m'nrder against Arthur Thomas Mann (45) at the Folic* Court to-day, Mrs Mary Drown gave evideace that she ased to visit Mrs Maaa and! often saw accused, and his wife . together. Maaa was not kind to her. Witness had lunch with deceased the day before the latter was taken ill. Mrs Munn Was then in good health and spirit's. The first that witness heard of her illness was on February 5, when Munn told her his wife was very ill in bed. Witness added:. "I told accused it was through him being unkind to her and keeping her up when she should be in bed." ' j j ! Witness said she would go aad see -Mrs Maaa, -whereupon accused said: "I don't want any damn wonten down thejrte." Munn said lie wiouldl look after his wife himself.

When witness called at the house, Munn said his wife thought she had kidney trouble, but she really had blood pressure. Mrs Munn was in bed. She was very nervous, and was twitching |dl over and drawing her legs up. She jsaid she had lost the use of her legs. . Munn said: "I think she had a stroke yesterday morning when I was preparing breakfast." DECEASED VERY ILL. Mrs Brown, continuing, said she stayed with Mrs Munn that evening, while Munn attended a meeting. Deceased was very ill and still twitching. Witness did not see her again for a time, when she seemed much worlse. Her eyes were half closed, as if she did not see properly. Deceased told witness she had been given some epsom saltls by her husband that morning. She said they were the nastiest, salts shje !had ever tasted. Deecased was of a vevry kind disposition, but always seemed despondent and afraid of something. Nine months ago witnesjs said, she had seen three red weals on Mrs Munu's neck. She once heard dfeceased ask her husband for some new linoleunf for the floor. Munn replied: "Yon can damn .■well serai) the hoards when that's worn off it." HANDWRITING EXPERT'S VIEW. After detailed evidence on handwriting, given by Joseph James Murray, a 'P. and T. Department accountant, who said, in his opinion, the matrimonial advertisement and the documents signed "Arthur Thomais," and "Arthur Munn" were all signed by the same person. The Court then adjourned for lunch. Mr s Dydiard said she first' knew of Mrs Munn's illness when Munn asked her to stay with his wife while he went to town, saying she had had a stroke.

On the morning Mrs Munn died, witness, when going to hi|s house, met Munn going in his car to get a doctor. He said a doctor had called before and injected morphia. He. added she is sleeping, but I don't like the look of her. Munn asked witness to stand in the doorway while he went for the doctor, hut she went right into the bedroom. Mrs Munn was apparently dead. .« i£>;