MURDER CHARGE

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 104, 30 October 1933, Page 10

MURDER CHARGE

GEEY LYNN TEAGEDY

CASE FOR THE CROWN

(By Telegraph.--Press Association.) AUCKLAND, This Day. Charged with the murder of Mrs. Christian Cunningham at her homo in Grey Lynn on August 16, John Hubert Edwards, aged 41 years, a labourer, ■was placed on trial today before Mr. jTustico Herdman.

Mr. Meredith, for the Crown, said that the Cunningham family had known Edwards for about .six years and at one time had lived nnder the same roof. Subsequently, when the family moved, Edwards called on thorn, occasionally. On tho night of August 15 Dora and Joyco Cunningham went to a dance, and when Joyco returned about midnight Edwards came along and said ho wanted to sco her father (who was on relief work) about a permanent job. He was admitted, and "went into Cunningham's bedroom, where he. told Cunningham ho was feeling sick and faint. Cunningham told him to sit on tho bed, and later dropped off to" sleep. On waking in the morning ho saw Edwards lying across the foot of the bed. Cunningham left the bedroom about 6.30 a.m. Edwards apparently then got into bed. He had pyjamas on, which ho must have been wearing under his clothes when he arrived. The daughter Joyce heard her mother say to Edwards: "Don't you think you had a nerve to come hero like you did and stay all night?" Cunningham then came into the hou3e and heard Edwards say: "Won't you for give me this time?"

Later in the morning, said Mr. Meredith, Cunningham and Edwards left tho house together, and as they walked alone; Cunningham said: "Look, Edwards, it's not convenient to have visitors to tho house just now; I am on relief work and wo cannot afford to hay» visitors." (Proceeding.) " ,