MAYFIELD TRAGEDY.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1892, 29 October 1913, Page 3

MAYFIELD TRAGEDY.

BIDDLE CONFESSES. ADMONISHED TO RESERVE HIS DEFENCE. (By Telegraph.—Frem Association.) Ashburton, October 28. At the As'iburton Magistrate's Court t'liis morning, before Mr. V. G. Day, S.M., Alfred Mortraii Biddlo appeared on remand on a c'hargo of murdering Itosanua Lille.v, at May field, on Wednesday, October 15. Accused arrived from the Lyttelton Gaol by the first express, uuder c'hargo of Superintendent Kiely and Detectives Gifeomand Eado. Biddlo slept peacei'tlly during the train journey, and again whita waiting for the Court proceedings to commence A large crowd had assembled -n the railway station platform to catch a glimpse of tlio prisoner, but a police ruse frustrated the curiosity. Tho prisoner, who was not wearing handcuffs, appeared much improved since his arrest, and tho inquest a week ago, his faco having filled' out considerably. ' The Court was crowded as soon as the doors opened. Mr. T. W. Stringer, K.C., appeared for the Crown, Biddle being. unrepresented. Evidence was given by John. Allen Lilley (husband of deceased), Leonard Lilley (the eldest son, aged eight), Maria and Egbert Montgomery (neighbours), David Langford (with '.vHiEfp'ccused bad boarded). Dr. ltendle, and Constable Turner,"but no new facts wore disclosed. Detective-Sergeant Job i Fahey's evidence included the following statement, which witness said Biddle had made to him, quite unsolicited, on arrest :— " I don't know what made me do it. I have been worried for about l a fortnight. My legs and' arms have been sore. 1 went to Lilley's to collect some money. Lilley was not at home. Mrs. Lilley -was in the ■ kitchen. She asked who was there. 1 sail, 'Mr. Biddle.' I told her that Mrs. Bob Montgomery was ill, and wanted her to come to her. She came with me through . the paddock for about four chains. I then hit her oil tho 'head with the •hammer, and, as truo as God- is above me, ,1 did not do anything else to her. I hit-her more than once. I cannot say how many ■times. Tho hammer was my own. I had it with me to take inns out of a. plough which I took from Jimmy Toners." The statement boro the following addendum in Biddle's own writing:— " All tliat has been read over to mo is truo. —Alfred Biddle." Evidence was also given by Detectives Gibson and Eade. Accused declined to question any cf the'witnesses. Tho Magistrate advised accused to plead not guilty, and to reserve his defence, and accused almost' silently acquiesced. In advising him, Mr. Day said that if the plea of guilty were en-' tered on at thi3 stage tho Judge would not be able to ignore it. Biddle was committed to stand his trial at the Supreme Court at Christchurch on November 17.