MURDER ALLEGED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26621, 18 November 1947, Page 6

MURDER ALLEGED

SHOOTING OF WOMAN YOUNG MAN ON TRIAL FORMER FARM EMPLOYEE P.A. NEW PLYMOUTH, Nov. 17. The alleged shooting of a married woman in the kitchen of her own home by a farm employee of her husband’s, the threat to do the same to the daughter of the woman, and an alleged attempt to assault the girl, were the features outlined by the Crown Prosecutor in the Supreme Court at New Plymouth to-day in the opening of the case against Herbert Edward Pearce, charged with the murder of Mrs Georgina Eforwood at Tututawa on August 13. There was a large crowd of spectators in the public portion of the court. “ I plead not guilty, sir,” was the answer given by accused, in light, but clear tones, when the indictment was read. Pearce is a single man, aged 21 years, and was employed as a farm worker by Mrs Harwood’s husband. Crown Case Outlined

Mr F. S. Grayling, for the Crown, said that on the morning of August 13 Mr and Mrs Harwood and their daughters Valerie and Alma, with the accused, had breakfast' together in the kitchen. Pearce had been working regularly for the Harwoods since February 16 of this year. He lived in their house, and his relations with the family were entirely satisfactory. He had become friendly with Valerie, who was 18 years of age. On the morning of August 13, said Mr Grayling, Harwood gave Pearce instructions and then left to take the children to Tututawa School, taking Alma with him. Mrs Harwood and Valerie sat at either side of the fireplace, Mrs Harwood taking up some knitting. The accused said he was going to take his gun with him to shoot a goat for dog meat. He showed Mrs Harwood a sight protector for his rifle and she said he had better put it up or he might lose it. He then got his rifle from beside the radio and some more conversation took place Valerie would say she then heard a shot, but did not realise what had happened. She would say that the accused then said, “You did not think I would do that.” She then began to cry and she saw that her mother had been shot. She asked him what he did that for and he said, “ I don't know,” adding, “I’m going to do the same to you. I’ll have to. I can t leave you here till your father comes home.”

The girl would then say that theaccused forced her into her bedroom and on to the bed. She struggled with him and he then tried to tie her down, but she twice got pieces of cord away from him. He then said he was going out to shoot himself and she saw him go out of the house. He was later found by the police. Cross-examined by Mr L. M. Moss, Valerie Harwood said she met Pearce before he began work for her father, but there was nothing in the way of a close friendship between them before then. Witness declined to answer a number of questions suggesting that she knew Pearce well some time before he went to work for her father She admitted that letters addressed to Pearce in affectionate terms were in her handwriting. There was no answer when she was asked if she appreciated how important her evidence was in respect to the life of the accused.

Witness was . closely cross-examined on events following the shot that killed Mrs Harwood, but said she was unable to remember remarks attributed by counsel to Pearce. Pearce and her mother were the best of friends, she said.

Dr J. A. Meade, medical superintendent of the Stratford Hospital, expressed the opinion that the rifle would have been discharged at a distance of over three feet but not greater than 100 yards. Mr Grayling: Are you able to tell us, as a result of your examination, whether it would have been possible for the shot to have hit the fireplace and then come back again?—Witness: “ I do not think so.” Other witnesses included Samuel Edward Harwood, husband of the dead woman. To Mr Jamieson, Harwood said his relations with Pearce, were satisfactory. Pearce was a thorough gentleman, and his behaviour and language in the presence of women was satisfactory. He always understood that Pearce and Mrs Harwood were on the best of terms. His daughter might be moody," but she was very bashful.