THE OMEO SENSATION

Evening Star, Issue 19789, 13 February 1928, Page 5

THE OMEO SENSATION

METHODIST PROBATIONER’S ARREST Tiie Sydney ‘ Daily Telegraph Pictorial ’ of February 3 contains the following particulars of the sensational charge against a Methodist probationer : The small mountain town of Omeo is seething with excitement following the arrest of the Pev. Ronald Reeves Griggs (twenty-seven), Methodist minister, on a_ charge of having murdered his wife, Kthel Constance Griggs, aged twenty-two, at Omeo, on or about January 3. The arrest was made by Detectivesergeant Mulfahey. Ho took Griggs into custody early, and the accused later appeared before two justices of the peace at Omeo. Al'er formal evidence of arrest Griggs was remanded to Sale. Evei since the tragic death of the parson’s young and pretty wife there has been commotion in the town of Omeo. It was common talk that Mrs Griggs was dissatisfied with her home life, and the reason given was her husband’s attentions to a girl member of his congregation. About six months before her death Mrs Griggs left Omeo for Tasmania, and did not return until December 31. it is stated that this was not a holiday trip, but that she had left hex- husband on account of bis infatuation for the twenty-year-old daughter of a prominent and respected family of the district.

She relumed only io get together some of her belongings before leaving her husband, for good it is added. Almost immediately after her homecoming Mrs Griggs was taken ill, and went to bed. On the following day, Sunday, Mr Griggs preached in the church adjoining the parsonage, where she lay dying. CONGREGATJON ANGRY.

The congregation was afterwards greatly incensed, because he did not make known his wife’s return and illness.

The text of his sermon was 1 The Prodigal’s Return.’ Mrs Griggs’s condition became worse, and Dr Mathew was called in. He gave an injection of morphia and strychnine. The patient was found dead by her husband at 1 o’clock on the morning of January 3. After her burial, when rumors became current in tbc district, the local constable communicated with the G.I.D. headquarters, Detective-ser-geant Mu If ahey was at once sent to Omeo, and last week the body was exhumed. A post-morten was held by the Government pathologist, Dr Mollisou, who took the contents of the stomach to Melbourne for analysis. ft is believed that traces of poison were disclosed.

Yesterday Detective-sergeant Mulfahey made a Hying trip to Swift’s Creek, about twenty miles from Omeo, in a private car. He stopped the night there. The place is about ton miles on the Melbourne side of the home of the people whose daughter Griggs is alleged to have been infatuated with. Griggs had been staying there since the police commenced investigations. HOUR’S QUESTIONING. The detective was met at the homo by a constable from Omeo. Together they went inside and questioned Griggs for an hour. The parson was then arrested and taken to Omeo. He was there again questioned for about two hours. After lunch, when the murder charge was read to Griggs in tho Omeo Court House, ho was pale and haggard. He was not dressed in clerical attire. When asked if he had any objection to the remand to Sale, Griggs muttered “No” in a husky voice. Mr Griggs is a very small, thin, and sharp-featured man. Ho is dark, and looks older than he is. He is a returned soldier, and wore Ids badge during the proceedings in the court. Statements secured by the police from the girl and Griggs are said to contain admissions by both that they had carried on a liaison for nearly two years. ■MARRIAGE PROMISE. The girl was only eighteen years old at the time their intimacy commenced, and she alleges that Griggs promised to marry her after his wife had left him. The police allege that Griggs purchased poison, and signed the pot-sou book, from a Bairnsdale chemist. Griggs is at present lodged in tho Omeo gaol, which is a ! ag cabin relic of the old mining days, with tiny iron barred windows and a huge iron barred door. Omeo is the centre of a wild and mountainous' district, | corned by a good percentage of old. hard-riding, hardr-liviug men of the bush days. The position of Griggs will be discussed at the Methodist Conference. The president of tho conference, the Rev, R. Bayliss said that Griggs was suspended from duty soon alter the police began their investigations. Griggs was not an ordained Methodist minister, but a probationer, with two years’ service.