FOR TRIAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26622, 19 November 1947, Page 4

FOR TRIAL

MURDER CHARGE LOWER COURT HEARING CONCLUDED EVENTS PRECEDING ARREST The lower court hearing of the charge of murder against Phyllis Freeman—who is alleged to have murdered Mrs Joyce Maysie Morrison at Enfield on October 3, 1942—was completed at Dunedin yesterday morning. The accused was committed to the Supreme Court for trial at the next sittings on February 3, 1948. Asked if she wished to plead, the accused said clearly: “Not guilty, sir.” Throughout the lower court hearing at Oamaru and Dunedin, in which 24 Crown witnesses gave evidence, counsel for the defence; Mr J. E. Farrell, of Oamaru, did not cross-examine. When the evidence was concluded yesterday, he said that he neither proposed to call evidence nor make any submissions. Second Charge Withdrawn Concerning the second charge of tht attempted murder of lna May Pearce, which had been laid against the accused, the Crown Prosecutor, Mr F. B Adams, asked leave to withdraw the information. “In doing so, I am not withdrawing or abandoning the charge,” he said. The whole of the evidence on the second charge had been placed before the court in connection with the murder charge, and it would be of little use traversing the evidence again. Mr Adams added that, in the Supreme Court, an indictment would be made on the attempted murder, charge as well as the charge of murder. Pending the Supreme Court hearing, the accused will be sent to Addington to remain in custody there. Constable’s Evidence The only evidence heard yesterday morning was that of Constable L. R. Blake, of Oamaru, who corroborated the evidence given on the previous day by Detective Sergeant J. W. Hill, concerning the statements made to the police by the accused and the events leading up to her arrest. Witness said that the accused had been questioned about the illness of Miss Pearce and the death of Mrs Morrison. Asked il she had ever purchased strychnine, the accused answe-ed that she had neither bought strychnine nor had she ever seen it. “We asked her if we could search her room for strychnine,” witness said “and she replied, ‘Go ahead, you will not find any.’ ” Constable Blake said that no strychnine had been found in the bedroom. A general search was also made of the house and the washhouse. “Later on, the accused stated that she had purchased strychnine from the U.F.S. Dispensary for Mrs Morrison and not for herself.” witness said. “ The accused seemed to be terrified when strychnine was mentioned.” Constable Blake’s evidence concluded the lower court hearing.