HENLEY MURDER

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIV, Issue 21064, 16 June 1938, Page 8

HENLEY MURDER

Lower Court Hearing Accused Committed for Trial By Telegraph—Press Association DUNEDIN, June 15. The preliminary hearing of the charge of murder against Eric Sandagger Parks, aged 28, which was commenced on Monday, was concluded to-day, when the evidence of 10 further witnesses was taken. The charge arose out of a tragedy which occurred at the farm of Alexander Smith, near Henley, on the night of April 14, when a married woman, Frances Amelia Lee, who was employed by Smith as housekeeper, was found dead in bed with a wound on the head inflicted apparently with a sledge hammer which was found later. The Crown prosecutor, Mr F. B. Adams, prosecuted, and accused was represented by Mr C. J. L. White, who had with him Mr J. B. Thomson. Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M., was on the Bench and took the inquest proceeding concurrently with the hearing of the murder charge. The accused pleaded not guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial, the Magistrate intimating that he would reserve his finding in the inquest until after the Supreme Court proceedings. Deceased’s mother, Sarah Erickson, stated that deceased was 48 years old. Accused had visited her home with Miss Lee. She had last seen accused on the evening of April 14, w’hen he had made inquiries regarding an order book he had left at the cafeteria. Witness did not hear accused say anything about going to Henley. There was nothing unusual about his actions or appearance. Thora Selinda Erickson, cafeteria assistant, and daughter of the previous witness, stated that she had known the accused for a year, first meeting him at the Henley farm. She could not say what terms existed between the accused and deceased. The accused delivered soft drinks to the cafeteria on April 14. He appeared quite normal, and she saw him at her mother’s home the same evening. At this stage, the witness broke down, and her evidence was suspended. Upset About Engagement Jessie Mirris stated that the accused had boarded with her for six months. She had met his fiancee, Miss Frances Lee, who had also boarded with her for three weeks. The accused had told her his engagement was broken off. He was very upset, saying: “I can’t do without her.” He then went out, returning cheerful, with the remark that the matter would be settled on accused’s birthday. On April 13 he told witness that he had had a letter, again breaking the engagement—a nice birthday present. The accused did not appear so upset as before. He had been unwell for a month. He was depressed on Wednesday, but there was nothing unusual. On the evening of April 14 the accused was quite normal. When he came home he changed his clothes, and went out, later returning, when he said he could not get a hired car, but had obtained a light truck, and was going away. He had previously told her he intended going to visit his mother, at Port Molyneux. He seemed in a hurry, and a little excited. Witness did not hear him return, but when she came out of her bedroom in the morning she smelt gas, but thought it was just an escape from the gas ring. She want to bed again for a couple of hours, after which her daughter said something about the gas. She went upstairs, knocking on the accused’s room without response. Later she broke open the door, and opened th. window. The room was filled with gas, with two burners turned on, and the accused was far through. Cross-examined by the accused’s counsel, Mr C. L. White, witness said: “I’ve nothing to say against the accused. He was always a very decent chap.” Borrowed Truck William Robert O’Fee, company manager, stated that he had known the accused for 16 years. On April 14 the accused had asked for the use of a car for the night, to go to his home at Port Molyneux. There was none available, and the accused had agreed to take a truck. The speedometer then showed 155 miles. The accused mentioned he would want the truck till 11 next morning. There was nothing unusual in his actions or speech. When the truck was returned the speedometer showed 202 miles, or a 47-

mile run. There was fine, loose clay on the seat next the driver’s, but no sign of blood.

To Mr White: The accused chose a truck with a cab, saying it would be warm for the girl during the drive to Port Molyneux. Walter Hemsley, a cordial manufacturer, and brother-in-law of the accused, said he had noticed nothing peculiar about the accused’s demeanour during the last two or three weeks he had been working. To Mr White witness said he had several times visited the accused when the latter was in hospital, subsequent to April 14. The accused had been seriously ill for nine weeks. William Southgate, a retired constable, said that he had accompanied Doctor Wylie to Smith’s farm. The first thing witness noticed was ?a sledge-hammer resting on a sack to the left of the porch. Witness described the finding of the body. The Court adjourned for lunch.