ALLEGED WIFE MURDER

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 18022, 17 May 1930, Page 7

ALLEGED WIFE MURDER

MUNN BEFORE COURT.

FIFTH DAY OF TRIAL

RESULT OF ANALYSIS.

(By Telegranh.—Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, Friday

Th<i fifth day of the trial of Arthur Munn for the alleged murder of his wife opened this morning. Alfred James Parker, public analyst and consulting chemist, said 'he received four bottles from Dr. Dudding on February 11 and he was asked to make a qualitative analysis for strychnine. The result of the test showed that fluid from the jug and fluid from the cup gave negative results. A test of fluid from the body gave a_ distinct positive reaction for strychnine, the reaction being quite complete, although not a strong reaction. The test of other fluid from the body gave an immediate and very strong positive reaction. There was no doubt of the presence of strychnine in the last two samples. Kenneth Massy Griffin, Government analyst, said that on February 13 he received from Dr. Murray a jar containing the stomach, portion of the liver, one kidney and spleen, which he understood to come from Mrs Munn. Witness performed a test on the samples given him and ascertained the presence of strychnine. A post-mortem examination which he had carried out on the body of Mrs Munn on February 13 was described by Dr. D. N. W. Murray, of Auckland. There were no external marks of violence.

The Cause of Death.

Mr Meredith: What in your opinion is the cause of death?

Witness: Strychnine poisoning.

Any doubt about it? —No. Will vyou give an opinion as to when the poison that actually caused death was given ?—I should say within ten hours of death. Mr Meredith: In your opinion had Mrs Munn had more than two doses of strychnine? Witness: Yes.

What makes .you say that? —Because on the sth she was seen by Mrs Gill and Mrs Brown, when she was afraid to be touched and was twitching. The same evening, it was stated, her nerves were twitching. On the 7th she was very ill, nervous twitching and unable to get out of. bed. Again on the 10th a statement was made that when a broom fell on the back verandah Mrs Munn nearly jumped out of bed.

TO-DAY’S PROCEEDINGS

PATHOLOGIST’S EVIDENCE

CONVINCED AS TO POISON,

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, Saturday

The Munn murder trial, which opened on Monday, is expected to last well into next week. This morning Dr. Gilmour, pathologist, said the- only possible conclusion was that Mrs Munn died of strychnine poisoning. She must have had a dose on February 4 to produce the attack described by a witness, Mrs Gill, and another dose on February 11 to produce the fatal result. He concluded that the woman had had a dose between the two visits of the doctor on the Friday.

Answering the foreman of the jury, witness said a severe dose would cause convulsion,, but a small dose might only cause twitching. Dr. Wilson also gave evidence, and was cross-examined by Mr Northcroft who sought to show that Mrs Munn might have taken strychnine herself for an unlawful purpose, even though she was mistaken regarding her condition. The doctor said he had never heard of strychnine being taken for such a purpose.