NEARING THE END

Southland Times, Issue 21093, 27 May 1930, Page 8

NEARING THE END

MUNN MURDER TRIAL MR NORTHCROFT ADDRESSES JURY — 40 EVIDENCE REVIEWED (Per United Press Association.) Auckland, May 26. The trial of Arthur Thomas Munn on a charge of murdering his wife by poisoning her with strychnine to-day entered the thirteenth day of the hearing. Mr Northcroft, counsel for the defence, addressed the jury this morning. Mr Northcroft contended that Dr Dudding had allowed his suspicions to be distorted and alleged that if the doctor had done his duty on the day Mrs Munn had a fatal seizure the woman would have been alive to-day. Mr Justice Herdman checked counsel, saying the question for the jury was whether Munn gave the poison to his wife. Mr Northcroft’s address for the defence is expected to last most of to-day. He is traversing much of the evidence in detail, seeking to show that Munn, although naturally brusque in manner, was a decent, worthy citizen and that his actions which the Crown had attempted, to show were’ suspicious were more probably consistent with his innocence. , Counsel admitted that accused’s relations with Mrs Stuck were not above criticism, but pointed out that he had not done the easy and blackguardly thing, which was to say that the nature of the relation with the woman was w'hat the Crown alleged it was. Counsel also stressed that Munn on his wife’s first seizure had rushed for the doctor and had sought the doctor afterwards. Afternoon Sitting. Mr Northcroft’s address to the jury was continued throughout the afternoon. Mr Northcroft, referring to Munn’s evidence, argued that in spite of the severe crossexamination by Mr Meredith, accused s statements had not been shaken in the slightest. There was really little difference between Munn and Dr. Dudding as to what took place between them. At most there were only minor discrepancies. Under those circumstances, was the jury entitled to say that Munn was lying and Dr. Dudding was telling the truth? Counsel said there was only one conclusion to be arrived at from the detective’s evidence, that they had agreed on one version of Munn’s interviews with the police and learned it off by heart. The jury had seen Munn on several occasions unable to control his emotions. Either he was overcome or was an excellent actor doing that for effect. Mr Northcroft will continue his address to-morrow morning, after which Mr Meredith will address the jury. Mr Justice Herdman is expected to sum up on Wednesday.