LEVIN TRAGEDY

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 48, 20 November 1926, Page 10

LEVIN TRAGEDY

SLOMAN CHARGED WITH MURDER

“SENT THEM TO HEAVEN”

EVIDENCE AT INQUEST

Dominion Special.

Palmerston North, November 19.

There were further develop, ments in regard to the recent tragedy at Levin in the Palmerston North Court to-day, when a police witness produced three letters which it was stated William George Sloman, poultryfarmer, oi Levin, had written alter allegedly attacking his wife, daughter, and son. “My brain seems to have gone,” he wrote. "I cannot endure life any longer, and 1 cannot leave the wife and children to suffer. I have sent them to heaven and am going also. ..."

Before the criminal proceedings were taken, a double inquest was held concerning the deaths of Mrs. Sloman and her daughter Rita, on November 5 and November 18 respectively, as a result of a murderous assault on them in their bedrooms at Sloman’s residence in Levin on the former date.

The Coroner, Mr. A J. Graham, presided. Sloman was in attendance, and during part of the evidence sat with his head in his hands.

Story of Discovery

In evidence Arthur Horace Strong, labourer, of Levin, stated that, prior to and until November 8, he was in the employ of William George Sloman, poultry-farmer, of Levin. On November 4 ’witness finished his work on the farm at 5.45 p.tn. At about 7.30 a.m. next day witness knocked at the back door of his employer’s ftouse, and, receiving no reply, went on to the farm in search of Sloman. Failing to find his employer, witness returned to the house, and, after repeated knocking, extending over a period of half an hour, looked through a side window and saw the boy Russell Sloman in bed covered in blood. Witness at once informed Constable Bagrie, and the two returned to and entered the house. In a front bedroom they found Mrs. Sloman on _ a bed in an unconscious condition, with wounds in her head. Sloman himself was in the same room on another bed, also unconscious. William Morton, bank accountant, of Levin, said that Sloman had been doing business with witness’s bank for four or five years. Witness. knew Sloman’s handwriting, and said that certain documents (produced) were written by Sloman. Constable Bagrie, of Levin, described his visit to Sloman’s residence, in company with Strong. The back door was closed, but not locked. Witness detailed the discovery of members of the family, and added that after Strong left he found Rita Sloman in another bedroom. She was in bed, and bore a wound on her forehead, while the pillow and bedclothes were covered with blood. Witness found three letters spread out on the kitchen table. These were as follow ;— “No Other Way Out.” “Dear Ernie, —My brain seems to have gone. I cannot endure life any longer, and I cannot leave the wife and children to suffer. I have sent them to heaven and am going also. May God forgive me if I have done wrong, but I could see no other way out. Good-bye.—W.G.S.” “Charlie Odlin,— Forgive me for the rash deed. I could stand it no longer, and could not leave* the wife and children to suffer.—Yours, W.G.S.” “Official Assignee,—Realise what you can on my estate. Pay creditors and remit balance to ray brother in Adelaide (name and address here given). Insurance A.M.P. Mother and children’s money in savings bank.” (This letter was not signed.) Continuing, witness said that in the sink' he found a tomahawk covered in blood and hair. There was also a small earthenware bowl and a tumbler which appeared to have been used. Steps were taken to administer an emetic to Sloman, who later remarked to witness: “I have caused you a lot of trouble.” Sloman then asked if witness thought the cyanide would do its work, as there was plenty of it. Dr. L. J. Hunter, of Levin, who had been summoned to the house, said that the injuries could have been caused bv some blunt instrument. Witness noticed no marks of violence on Sloman who, however, was suffering from the effects of poison. Dr. J. L. Frazer, medical superintendent of the Palmerston North Hospital, said that Mrs. Sloman was dead upon the arrival of the ambulance at the institution. Sloman and the two children were also on the conveyance. On November 18 Rita Sloman passed awav at the hospital as a result of injuries received. The Coroner returned a verdict in each case of death as a result of injuries inflicted bv William George Sloman. Charges of Murder. Sloman was then charged in Court before Messrs. F. C. Aisher.and J. A. McLeavey with the murder of his wife at Levin on November 5. The depositions taken at the inquest were put in as evidence. Tn addition, Senior-Detective Quirke stated that he was present at the house in Levin, when Dr. Hunter handed to Constable Bagrie some liquid which he said he hal extracted from the stomach of Sloman. Detective Russell stated that on November 8 he arrested Sloman upon the latter’s discharge from the hospital. Sloman said: “It seems about a hundred years since this happened. I know that my wife is dead and gone, but that does not worry me. I am worried about the children I may have maimed them mentally and physically for life.” Witness stated that an analysis of the liquid found in the utensils revealed evidence of cyanide of potassium or sodium. This concluded the case . for the police. Accused, who remained composed throughout, had nothing to say, 'and was committed to the February session of the Supreme Court in Palmerston North for trial. A further charge, namely of murdering his daughter Rita, was then preferred against accused. When the youth Strong was in the box Sloman asked the following questions:— Yon know that my wife and 1 were on the best of terms, and that the home was a happy one?—“Yes.” And, further, you knew that for some time I had not been well?— “Yes.” And the losses on the farm bad worried me considerably?—“That is rieht.” Accused was committed for Inal as on the first charge.