MURDER TRIAL

Hokitika Guardian, 3 November 1931, Page 5

MURDER TRIAL

MOTHER’S EVIDENCE.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association)

AVELLINGTON, November 2,

In the Coats case, Mary Sophia- Symons, mother of the deceased girl, said that Phyllis was born at "Napier in December, 1913. The girl was backward at school, and she implored' herfather to let her leave when she did at fourteen. Otherwise Phyllis was normally healthy'. About September, 1930, witness met Coats, when lie was working on relief works at Mortimer Terrace. Phyllis first introduced her to Coats one Sunday early in March. There was a slight difference between them, but it was really nothing. After a bit of a row, Phyllis slipped out without witness knowing • anything about it. Witness described the 'clothing the girl was wearing on the day. ' She identified some clothing produced as belonging to her daughter. On the night of 12th July, she identified the body at the Morgue as that of her daughter Phyllis. Phyllis was a very nice little girl, quiet and all that.

Counsel for accused then examined Mrs Symons as to whether Phyllis had a cousin called Ernie. -Mrs Symons said there was no cousin by- the name of . Ernie, hut later she said that she herself had a brother named Ernie, who was an organist and choirmaster in Napier. Counsel questioned her concerning attendance at Communists’ meetings in Garrett Street, Sho said she had never attended these- mpet’.ipg with Phyllis and Ernie, who wouldn’t have gone, She said he was a University man.

Counsel questioned Mrs Symons closely concerning her dislike for Coats.

His Honour remarked: What counsel is trying to find out is what was your attitude towards Coats lief ore, all the trouble—before she went away Witness: Well, she was always deceiving me and telling me lies. ((Look_ ing towards the prisoner): “He knows all about it!” Counsel suggested that she had had a quarrel with Phyllis, and struck her, and that there had been a stand-up fight between the brothers. “Nothing of the sort,” replied witness. “Where have you been getting all this from? More of his lies I suppose!”

His Honour directed Airs Symons at this stage that she must simply answer questions, without introducing any irrelevant observations Counsel for the accused (to witness): “Wasn’t there a stand-up fight, and you ordered Phyllis out of the house?” Witness: “Certainly not.’£«»».>,•* .t« George Henry Symons, father of th e dead girl, detailed events leading up to the handing of the letter to the police. Counsel for the accused asked if the relief workers had left fairly steep, cliffs on the roadside nonr tlioh' house', witnessing answering “Yes,” He (I'd not know Phyllis was going away to live with Coats,

Airs Alvrtle Rene Lamb, Phyllis’s sister, told of her -mother’s efforts to check Phyllis’s disobedience. Their uncle, Ernie, came from Napier after the earthquake. He and they never went to Communists’ meetings.

Murray Symons, Phyllis’s brother, whose departure from home lia<J noth in g to do with Phyllis going away, said he usually took his sister’s part at home. On the day that she went away he had misunderstood, and he took ’a broom from his mother when she gave, Phyllis a tap. His brother came in and took the broom from him. Counsel lor the accused suggested that the mother had turned Phyllis out.

Arthur de Alaine, a waiter, said that he had known the Coats’ since 1918., .

The Crown Prosecutor questioned him., concerning! certain articles, including a syringe, at Coats’si room. He also questioned him concerning a needle.

The Crown Prosecutor asked to oe allowed to refer to witness's previous depositions. His, Honour decided to adjourn the Court, and hear argument in the chambers.

The Court then adjourned until ten to-morrow.

THE CASE CONTINUED. EVIDENCE HEARD TO-DAY, WELLINGTON, November 3. The trial of George Errol Coats, on a charge of murder, was continued to-day. Arthur de Maine, a waiter, proceeded with his evidence along the fines of that given in the lower court. He said he thought that a certain instrument which he had seen in Coats’ room was for some use. because Coats had earache on June 4th. Accused said somethhiyd to witness about tapping Phyllis on the back of the neck, at Hataiti on the night before. On that night, [Phyllis had come into Coats’ i-ooin. where witness was, and had complained that her neck was sore. On June 26th witness met Coats, who said he was going to Hataitai to get a “cobber” to leave a shovel so that he could bury a dog. The next day Coats told witness that Phyllis had gone home. Between that time and J niy 6th, the day when Coats was arrested, ' Phyllis’s name was never mentioned between them, although he saw Coats pretty well every day. Cofats getting tired her duriwr Cross examined, witness said that Coats was always doing the best be could for Phyllis. The girl after spoke of suicide, but Coats tried to cheer

her up. He was prepared to marry the girl and as far as witness’s knowledge went there was no sign of the whole time they were together. Witness had advised the girl to go home, but she said she would sooner die than go home, as her mother was very cruel to her. Shortly a "ter the Crown Prosecutor commenced to re-examine, he made an application for the witness to be declared hostile, and argument on the point was heard in chambers.