CHARGE OF MURDER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3718, 4 October 1906, Page 2

CHARGE OF MURDER.

The Case Against Marion Emmons. W kijjngton Yesterday In the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, Marion May Emmens was charged belore Dr. A. M’Arthur, S. M. , with having, on 15th September, 1906, at Cuba-street, Wellington, murdered a female child. Mr Henry R. Mawson. confectioner Cuba-street, found the body of an infant in a barrel containing lime and water in a yard at the rear of his premises. Accused is twenty-three , years ot age, and was employed as a housemaid at Mawson’s.

Mawson stated that accused complained on the afternoon of 15th September of having strained herself by lifting a hamper. Witness had always found accused a good hard-working girl. Dr Fyffe stated that he made a post-mortem examination of a female infant child and found it newly born and fully developed. From the facts of the post mortem he came to the conclusion (1) that the child was born alive; (2) that the cause of death was fracture of the skull and compression of the brain with laceration of its substance. The child did not die of drowning. As to the fraqture of the skull, he could attribute no other cause than direct violence.

Emily Mawson, wife of Henry Mawson of Cuba-street said she knew accused. Some time before 15th September, witness asked accused if she was pregnant. She replied “No,” and the witness was satisfied with her answer. On 15th September (Saturday) she went about her duties as usual. About 6 o’clock she complained ot having strained herself by lifting a hamper which was too heavy, and afterwards went to bed. She got up to do her work as usual on Monday, and witness advised her to go to bed. She preferred, however to sit on a chair. On Thursday she resumed her duties. Witness did not suspect that she had given birth to a child. Accused reserved her defence, pleaded not guilty, and was committed for trial. Bail was reiused.