THE LEVIN TRAGEDY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3565, 20 November 1926, Page 2

THE LEVIN TRAGEDY.

INQUEST OX MOTHER AND DAUGHTER. SLOMAN CHARGED WITH MURDER. At the Palmerston X. Magistrate’s Court yesterday, an inquest was conducted by Mr A. J. Graham, Coroner, into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Airs Margaret Sloman, and her daughter. Rita, tin* victims of the tragedy which occurred at Levin on the morning of November 5. At the conclusion of the inquiry, William George Sloman, the husband and father, was charged with murder. Senior-Detective Quirkc appeared foij the police. Evidence in the main, was similar to what has already appeared in these columns. Constable Bagrie, in evidence, said that he found three letters spread out on the kitchen table. The first one read: “Dear Em, — My brain seems to have gone and I cannot endure life any longed and I cannot leave my wife and children to suffer. I have sent them to Heaven, and am going also. May God forgive me if I have done wrong, but I could see no other way. Good-bye-W. G. S.”

The second letter was addressed to Charlie Odlin.—“Forgive me for this rash deed. I could stand it no longer, and could not leave my wife and children to suffer. —Yours, W. G. S.”

The third letter was addressed to the Official Assignee as follows: — “Realise what you can on my estate, pay creditors and remit balance to my brother in Adelaide. Insurance A.M.P.; mother and children money in savings bank.” Dr. J. L. Frazer, medical superintendent at the Palmerston North Hospital, said that Mrs Sloman was dead when the ambulance arrived. An examination revealed five wounds on her head, from one of which the brain protruded. Rita Sloman also had head injuries of a similar nature. Death in each case was due to shock and haemorrhage. The verdict of the Coroner was that the mother and daughter died from injuries to the head inflicted by William George Sloman. William George Sloman was then brought before Messrs F. A i slier and .J. A. McLeavey, J.’sP., charged with killing his wife and daughter. Evidence similar to that at the inquest was given by the same witnesses. In addition Detective Russell stated that} he arrested accused on his discharge from hospital. Accused had remarked: “It seems a hundred years ago since this thing happened. I know that my wife is dead and gone, but that does not worry me. I am worrying about the children. I may have maimed them mentally and physically for life.” Witness also produced the analysis of the contents of accused’s stomach taken by the doctor on the morning of the tragedy. Accused had nothing to say in answer to' the charge and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial in February next. During the whole of the inquest and Court proceedings; lie remained seated in a chair at the Court table, showing slight signs of distress when the first witness described the discovery of the tragedy and the injuries of his wife and children. A HAPPY FAMILY.

When Horace Strong was giving evidence he spoke for the first time. Addressing witness lie said: “You knew that my wife and I were on the best'of terms and that the family was a happy one. You knew that 1 had not been well-for some time and that there were losses on the farm.” Witness replied that that was so. ,