MUSICIAN ON MURDER CHARGE

Evening Star, Issue 22147, 30 September 1935, Page 8

MUSICIAN ON MURDER CHARGE

KILLING OF WIFE ALLEGED MAREO CASE COMMERCES [Per United Puess Association.] AUCKLAND, September 30. Eric Mareo, aged 41, a musician, appeared in the Police Court this morn, ing before Mr Hunt, on remand, charged that, on April 15, he did murder Thelma Clarice Mareo. Following the death of Mareo’s 29 years’ old wife in Auckland Hospital, an inquest was opened the following day, and after evidence of identification, was adjourned sine die, and has not yet been com. pleted. Mareo was arrested on Sep. tember 2.

The back of the court was crowded this morning. The Crown case was conducted by Mr V. N. Hubble and Mr F. M'Carthy, while Mr K. C. Aekins and Mr Trevor Henry are appearing for Mareo. It is understood that 34 witnesses will bo called by the Crown, including several experts. Reginald Riddell, Public Works Department, produced a plan of the house, No. 1 Tenterden Avenue, Mount Albert.

Elizabeth Patricia Mareo, aged 21, a daughter of the accused, entered the witness box, and smiled at her father, seated in the dock, Mareo smiling hack. Witness said she was born in England, where her mother died in 1928. She left England in 1931 with the accused and her brother, Graham, proceeding to Sydney, where her father was an orchestral conductor until 1933, when he left on a New Zealand tour with the Ernest Rolls Theatrical Company. Her father informed her by letter that he had married Thelma Trott. Later witness and her brother came to Auckland, and lived with her father and stepmother. She didn’t get on very well with Mrs Mareo, who was inclined to drink. Three weeks before the latter’s death, witness had left Tenterden Avenue, hut used to go back occasionally. She had tea at the house on Friday, April 12, with Mareo and her brother. Her father said Mrs Mareo was unwell, and in bed. Witness passed her in the passage, wearing a dressing gown. As witness was leaving, Mareo gave her an envelope marked not to be opened until after his death. It contained information of her parentage. Up till then she had regarded Mareo as her father. The first witness heard of Mrs Mareo’s death was when her brother telephoned on Monday, April 15, stating that she had been taken to hospital. Mrs Mareo had often been in bed sick. Sometimes she would read, and sometimes would be “ just dopey,” and do nothing. Witness remembered the week-end when Eleanor Brownlee and Freda Stark were at the house. There had been a general argument, and Mareo had been drinking a little. “ I think Mrs Mareo did not like the idea of Eleanor Brownlee staying over the week-end,” said witness. Mrs Mareo left the house with Freda Stark, and witness asked Miss Brownlee to stop over. Mrs Mareo returned on Sunday night. After her stepmother’s death, witness was at Tenterden Avenue on the Good Friday week-end. Her father, brother, and Eleanor Brownlee were also there. Witness found two bottles, and, as there had been sp much trouble during the previous week, she removed the labels and burnt them. “ I didn’t see why the chemists should get into trouble, too,” said witness. This completed Miss Mareo’s evidence.

Kenneth James Bark, grocer’s assistant, said he called as usual during the week preceding Mrs Mareo’s death. When he delivered groceries about 5 o’clock on the Thursday afternoon Mrs Mareo seemed just as usual. He had never noticed signs of liquor about her. Boris Thornton, a butcher’s assistant, said he called at the house daily and saw Mrs Mareo once or twice during the week preceding her death. She was moving about as usual. Stanley Stapleton. Porter, insurance agent, said that in 1934 Mrs Mareo took out an industrial policy' for £35. Witness called every Monday. When he called on April 15, a stranger paid the premium. A fawn-coloured limousine was outside the house. He had seen Mrs Mareo the previous Monday in the washhouse rinsing' out clothing. She was normal, and in her usual spirits. After conversation, he posted a letter for Mrs Mareo, addressed to Mrs Trott,Gympie, Queensland. He had never noticed liquor on Mrs Mareo. No claim had been made under the insurance policy. Accused knew it was in force. Witness identified burnt paper produced by Mr Hubble as part of a policy. Herbert Edwin William Smith, Civil servant, and a member of Mareo’s orchestra, remembered Mrs Mareo playing lead in the musical opera ‘ The Duchess of Danzig.’ He had often visited Mareo’s home, and had never noticed signs of liquor on Mrs Mareo. She sometimes took a light wine, and when doing so usually held her nose. On April 11 she was doing her work about the house, and was in quite good health.

Graham Eric Mareo, aged 16, said that shortly before his stepmother died she said she was very tired and sleepy. While in bed on the Saturday morning, he heard a couple of bumps from her bedroom, and found her holding on to the dressing table, swaying, and talking incoherently. He called his father, tvho was in the bath, and they helped her back to bed. Shortly after midnight on Saturday, at his father’s request, witness purchased a volatile from the allnight dispensary, and rang for a doctor on the Monday. The luncheon adjournment was here taken.