JOHNSON MURDER

Hokitika Guardian, 4 August 1931, Page 5

JOHNSON MURDER

RAMEKA ON TRIAL. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association) AUCKLAND, August 3. At Rameka’s trial for the murder of Mrs Lawrence, lengthy evidence was gnen on the lines of that heaid in the Police Court. Quoenio Rose Lawrence, tho daughter of deceased, described what happened on the mo, iiing o'f the murder. Crossexamined, she said that her mother and the accused were not very much in love.

Mrs l.ue.v Keosing with whom the deceased and her daughter lived, said that it seemed to her that Rameka was a friend of the family.

.Mr Noble (for accused): “Pretty close friends.” Witness: “No more than an ordinary man! It was just pure friendship.” Witness was asked a further quesction in reference to her experience of men. This led witness to retort: “I have had no experiences .of men. ■ J have only had one husband, and from what f see of them, I do not want any more!”

Asked whether she had tried to stop Rameka from poisoning himself, witness said: “If a man wants to poison himself, let him do it by all means! 1 trunk! not stop any man!” The hearing was adjourned AUCKLAND, August 4. The trial of Geo, Rameka, on a charge of murdering Mrs Gwendoline Johnson ds continued to day. Two doctors said that the wounds in the woman’s body suggested they were the work of a man in a frenzy.

Accused’s movements and remarks after the tragedy were described by several witnesses on the lines of evidence in the lower court.

Mrs Kura Murphy, his cousin, said before he collapsed from the effects of the poison he gave her a letter for 1 1 is father saying my girl has turned me down after I gave her £25 and my last £7. it also said, that was the end of his- life and ”1 leave killed someone.”

Cross examined she said that Rameka was one of 17 children, only two of whom were alive. She had heard that a relative of accused’s in Taranaki had killed a girl with a tennis racquet and another relative in North Auckland committed a serious offence. Accused in a letter to his father said he was tired of this life and made requests concerning disposition of his estate.