TRIAL OF MUNN

Hokitika Guardian, 3 April 1930, Page 5

TRIAL OF MUNN

FURTHER EVIDENCE ;3j Telegraph—Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, April 2. Replying to North-roll, Counsel for Aluim, Griffin said the methods employed in his department were standard methods prescribed hv the authorities, which be could produce in fifteen minutes. Northcroft : “Well I would like to know what they arc.’’ Witness quoted three well-known books which he produced. I)r I). N. W. Murray, who examined . ie body of the deceased on February 1 :ill l ., said lie found no external evidence of violence. After giving details concerning the various organs, witness said be could not find any evidence of disease or injury such as would oamse death. The stomach and 'its contents, wit'll a piece of the liver, a kidney and a spleen were placed in a sterile glass jar sealed and labelled and handed to the Government analyst on February 13th.. the day oi the examination for examination for detection of poison. He subsequently received a report from tlie Government analyst and witness was satisfied that the cause of death was strychnine

poisoning. Air Meredith: “As a result of evidence yoii have heard, your post move examination and report of the analyst, what in your opinion was the cause of death?”

Witness: “Strychnine poisoning.” • vvas the convulsion described by Dr Dudditig, typical of the convulsion uue to strychnine poisoning.” “Yes.”

“What about the convulsion demonstrated in the Court by Airs Gill?” “That was compatible either with a convulsion due to strychnine poisoning or a convulsion due to tetanus.” “Is the history of the case, as you heard it. compatible with tetanus?” “No.” “Do you think Unit more than one dose of strychnine had been taken?” “Yes. But 1 think death was due to a dose'taken on the morning of Feb. 11th.” “Then the convulsions of February 4th. and lltli. would be caused by a separate dose of stiychnine?” “Yes.” “And what about bad turns between these dates? I would suspect that Airs Munn was getting further strychnine.” Witness said that the fact that about four-fifths of A grain of strychnine had been found indicated that a recent dose had been taken, otherwise no strychnine would have been found in the stomach washings. He thought the dose had been taken within a limit of ten hours. He said death usually occurred two or three hours after a fatal close of strychnine, but possibly it would not occur until after about six hours if less than a fatal dose were given. The convulsion would become less and the interval between them stronger.

MON COMMITTED. AUCKLAND, April 2. At the Munn murder trial, further medical evidence was given by Dr Vi • Gilmour, who said that he was satisfied, beyond all doubt, after hearing the evidence of the Government Analyst that the death of -Mrs Munn was due to strychnine poisoning. Detective Sergeant Doyle said that, with Detective Power, he visited Munn’s residence on February 12th. The accused met the detectives at the back door. Witness said that he wished to make some inquiries regarding the death of Mrs Munn. The reused replied: “I cannot understand it. Will the doctor not give a certificate?” Munn said that his ;vife had been ill about a week. Witness asked the accused what medicine his wife had. The accused said that Dr Dudding gave her medicine and ordered Epsom salts, which accused said, he gave his wife. DeU'ctive Sergeant Doyle then read a statement which Munn made and signed. He said that, when tak--In,r the statement from Munn, lie had asked Munn if he had any poison in the house. “Oil yes,” Munn replied. ”1 have some strychnine in the pantry that 1 keep for rats!” “You surely don’t keep it in the pantry?” said the detective. , “Oh yes! I keep it covered,” replied Munn. The detective said that Munn then went to the pantry, lifted a honey carton off the shelf, and said: “It’s under this.” After looking under the carton, he said: u lt s gone! anc Munn then turned round and said: “We’ll look in the bedroom!” and lie walked straight through the house to the bedroom. Witness said that the room was then searched. On moving some collars in a drauei, he saw a bottle marked “Poison” resting on a suit of pyjamas. Witness said to Munn: “Is this the drawer you use? Munn said: “\es, but I do not wear pyjamas. I cannot stand them.” On seeing the bottle. Munn said: “That’s it!” “How do you suggest the bottle got into the drawer?” witness asked Munn. 1 | don’t know. I thought it was in the I pantry,” he replied. “The last I time I saw it was about a fortnight

ago. Witness said that he examined the bottle. There were no fingerprints on it. The bottle contained a few small white crystals. Detailing the arrest, witness said that, with Detective Power, he went to Munn’s house on Saturday, March Bth. They were met at the back floor by accused. Mrs Stuck, and the accused’s two children were in