Murder Charge Heard Against Auckland Man.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19034, 1 April 1930, Page 10

Murder Charge Heard Against Auckland Man.

WIFE SEEMED TO BE AFRAID OF SOMETHING, SAYS FRIEND IN EVIDENCE,

(Special to tlie “Star.”)

AUCKLAND, April 1. FURTHER EVIDENCE was heard this morning on the charge against Arthur Thomas Munn, aged 45, of Northcote, of murdering his wife, Lillie May Munn, on February 11 at Northcote. Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M., was on the Bench.

Mrs Munn, who was 43 years of age, died at her home on the morning of February 11. Dr Dudding was called to attend her on February 4, after she had suddenly been taken ill, while preparing breakfast for the household, which included her husband and two daughters, aged nine and five years respectively. Dr Dudding refused to give a certificate of death and reported the matter to the police. A post mortem examination of the body was carried out, and as a result the present charge was preferred. Mr V. R. Meredith (Crown Solicitor) prosecuted, and Mr E. P. Northcroft appeared for the accused.

Mrs Mary Brown said that she used to visit Mrs Munn often. She saw accused and his wife together. Munn was not kind to her. Witness had lunch with Mrs Munn the day before the latter was taken ill. Mrs Munn was then in good health and spirits. The first that witness heard of her illness was on February 5, when Munn told her that his wife was very ill in bed. Witness added: “ I told accused that it was through him being unkind to her and keeping her up when she should be in bed.’’ Conversation With Munn. Witness said that she would go and see Mrs Munn, whereupon the accused said: “I don’t want any damn women down there.” Munn said that he would look after his wife himself. When witness called at the house, Munn said that his wife thought that she had kidney trouble, but she really had blood pressure. Mrs Munn was in bed. She was very nervous, was twitching all over and drawing her legs up. She raid that she had lost the use of her legs. Munn said: “ I think she had a stroke yesterday morning when I was preparing breakfast.'* Mrs Brown, continuing, said that she j stayed with Mrs Munn that evening ! while Munn attended a meeting. Mrs i Munn was very ill and was still twitch- i ing. Witness did not see her again until February 7, when she seemed much worse. Her eyes were half closed as if she did not see properly. “ Afraid Of Something.” Mrs. Munn told witness that she had been given some epsom salts by her husband that morning. She said that they were the nastiest, bitterest salts >he had ever tasted. Mrs Munn was of a very kind disposition but always seemed despondent and afraid of something. Nine months ago, said witness, she saw three red weal 6 on Mrs Munn's neck. She once heard Mrs Munn ask her husband for some new linoleum for the floor. Munn replied: “You can damn well scrub the boards when that’s worn out.’* “ Had a Stroke.” Mrs Lydiard said that she first knew of Mrs Munn’s illness when Munn asked her to stay with his wife while he went to town, saying that she had had a stroke. On the morning Mrs Munn died, witness, when going to his house,* met Munn going in his car to get the doctor. He said that the doctor had called before, and injected morphia. Munn 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-a doctor, but she went right into the bedroom. Mrs Munn was apparently dead.

After detailed evidence on handwriting had been given by Joseph James Murray, P. and T. Departmental accountant, who said that in his opinion the matrimonial advertisement and the documents signed “ Arthur Thomas ” and “Arthur Munn,” were all signed by the same person, the Court adjourned for lunch.

YESTERDAY S EVIDENCE. Georgina , Stuck, widow, said she answered the advertisement in Auckland “Star” and as a result she received a letter signed “Arthur Thomas, ’ making an appointment for her to meet him. Witness

. kept the appointment, and Arthur Tho- . mas Munn. the accused, met her. Accused drove witness out to Onehunga | in his car, where they stopped and talked. He told her he wanted a friend. Afterwards accused wrote to witness i asking her to meet him on the next Wednesdey. She did so and Munn drove her out to Onehunga again. Witness asked accused if he was married. He said he was. She told him she had a feeling he was married, and also that his name was not “Arthur Thomas.” Accused said his name was Arthur Thomas Munn. Witness, referring to accused's position in being a married man, said “This cannot go on.” Accused replied that his wife had lost interest in her home. He only wanted a friend. Witness said, “I will be a i friend.” Later witness told accused i she did not wish their friendship to continue. Accused asked her if she would continue being a friend to him. She said she would. Munn afterwards came to see her in Auckland each Monday morning and on Saturday afternoons. .AN OFFER OF MARRIAGE. Subsequently Witness went to Christchurch and returned on February 7, meeting accused at the Y.W.C.A. She j later obtained a position at the Maori College at Northcote. Accused visited her there. He arrived at 7 o’clock one j night. He put his hand on her shoulder j and, breaking down, said, “Mv wife has gone.” Witness said. “Don’t tell me that.” He said, “It’s true.” W itness asked, “What are you going to do?” Munn said, “I think I will keep the house on. Will you consider coming and keeping house for me as I don't want to part with the girls?” She agreed to go and keep house, adding. “Did your wife die suddenly?” Munn replied, “Yes.” Accused came to the college in his car on the evening of February 13, and took her to his house at Northcote. In conversation accused said, “There’s been an inquest. The doctor will not give a certificate. She took her own life. The night before she died she asked me to promise not to send her to the hospital. She seemed depressed.” Witness remained at accused’s house until he was arrested. When she had been there a few days accused said, “Do you think enough of me to marry me?” Witness replied. “I would like you to wait, as ’you might meet somebody else that you may like better than me.” Munn then said, “Will you marry me after the inquest, for the sake of the children?” Witness replied that she would like to wait, as her previous marriage had not been successful. Accused asked witness for her wedding ring and she gave it to him. He said he would keep it until he bought her one himself. Witness said she was only a friend to Munn. Mrs Lydia Gill, of Northcote, said the had a flat under the house occupied by the Munns. On February 4 a little girl asked her to go up to Mrs Munn. Accused was away, having gone for a doctor. Deceased was reclining in a chair gripping the sides of the chair. She was twitching and drawing her legs up. Her eyes were half closed’ Deceased asked witness if she knew what was the matter, and whether witness had seen anyone like that before. \\ itness said she had not. Deceased ! asked witness not to leave her. When ! Munn returned witness asked him if he | knew what was the matter. He said : he did not, but had summoned a doc- • tor. Witness and accused carried de- , ceased to bed. Witness said deceased ! was of a bright disposition, but highlv i strung. She idolised her children and j her husband, too. j (CONTINUED IN STOP PRESS.)