PUKEKAWA MURDER.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16895, 17 November 1920, Page 6

PUKEKAWA MURDER.

TRIAL OF THORN. TUESDAY’S PROCEEDINGS. Por Press Association. AUCKLAND, Nov. 16. The trial of Samuel John Thorn, charged with murdering Sydney Seymour Eyre at Pukekawa, on August 24 was 'continued in the altirnoon. Mrs. Eyre, wife of the deceased, was put to a searching cross-examination by counsel for the accused, lasting in all six hours.

Reverting to her relationship with Thorn, witness said that at first sTie thought the accused was a decent fellow, but shortly- after the relationship began she had nothing but contempt for him. That was caused partly by his familiarity towards her, and partly by his threats.' By the time her husband returned, she disliked Thorn. Counsel: Why did you not tell your husband and let him sboot_Thorn? Witness: I did not want my hvftband to bo branded as a murderer. Mrs. Eyre denied that she had ever asked Thorn if he could get a divorce, or whether, if he could get rid of his wife, he would marry her in the event of anything happening to her husband. After Eyre’s, return he received letters from abroad. His Honour; What is the relevancy of that?

Mr. Singer: It may have been someone from abroad, perna'ps Canada, who (committed this murder. Witness said her husband immediately destroyed these letters, and never referred,to the persons who sent them. She never worried about whether the writers were men or women. She saw an advertisement in a paper, and she showed it to her husband/ Counsol: It was someone advertising for your husband? His Honour: You cannot put that in without putting in- the advertisement. , • ,

Counsel: Some time after that your husband received a letter’in cypher? Witness: “I do not know.” She added that she did trot think the advertisement was mysterious. She did not know who inserted it. Touching another point, witness said she saw accused at the Taukau polico station on September. 4, After greeting between the two, Thom’s first remark, so far -as she recollected, was that he had always found her a truthful woman the boys were truthful, and that he had nothing against the family. He also stated that he did not suggest that witness or any of the children killed Air. Eyre. When Hie police went out Thorn asked what made her think he had killed her husband. She replied; “The circumstances > the person who did it must have known the position of the bed and the run oh the place.'” Thorn said: “As true as lam here I never did it.” Witness replied: “If you are innocent, I feel sorry for y In further answer to Air. Singer, Airs Eyre admitted that she said to the accused; “Taking the whole circumstances I cannot say anyone else. The person who did it must have known the whole run of the place. At first I did not say anything about you, but when I thought it over thoroughly and tried you in my own mind, I could not think of anyone but you that, would do it.” * Evidence was given by Philip Sidney Eyre, aged 16 years, a son of the deceased. He said his father and accused did notr get on From expressions used he knew his father was the object of dislike by Thorn. Witness detailed happenings on the night of the murder. He fvas briefly cross-examined by Air. Singer. Dora Millicent Eyre, a sister of the last witness, others gave'evidence before the court adjourned' for the day.