Murder Trial Begins

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1047, 11 August 1930, Page 10

Murder Trial Begins

THE WANGANUI TRAGEDY

Death of Gladys Cromarty

SENSATIONAL LETTERS READ

WANGANUI, Today. THE trial of Herbert Frederick Manly on a charge of the murder of Gladys Cromarty, opened in the Supreme Court today, the Chief Justice, Sir Michael Myers, presiding. Mr. N. R. Bain is the prosecutor, and the accused is represented by Mr. W. J. Treadwell, who has associated with him Mr. B. C. Haggit.

In his oppening address Mr. Bain asked the jury to disabuse their minds of any matter brought under their notice prior to the case. He traversed the circumstances leading up to Manly’s arrest.

Evidence on the lines of that given in the lower court is proceeding. The grand jury returned a true bill. Accused seemed in fitter health than when he appeared in the Lower Court, and answered in a firm voice “Not guilty” when the charge was read. Mr. Bain read a letter allegedly

written by Manley to the office, j, charge of the police at Wanganui -. “All I've to explain is that I’ve gi re 7 my all. and let myself down to the very depths of degradation. But I truly loved her. as no man ever lore! The whole secret will I carry with me. Her letters are in one of incases, and another case is at Thorudon station. Would the Government kindly forward it to 28 Elm Road Purley, Surrey, and send my gold watch to my son Douglas. Mv mad is absolutely unhinged. Life withor her, even -after what she has done to me, is not worth living. She has lemany down, but no more will euteas I have. God forgive her. as he: years are tender. Ido not exper forgiveness, only may my childre: grow to be a credit to their name aid mother. Good-bye. Best love to ir: dear father, sisters, brothers, sons, aai all. Life to me here has been lotting.—H. F. Manley.” “A further letter was read, alleged to be from Manley to his father ia England: “It’s the last few lines you’ll receive from me,” it ran. “I’ve never been no good, never will. E<ra' ; worry. The world and all are better without me, so goodbye. I’Te asked the Government to forward my case= on to you. , What is in them will explain all. I’ve been to those two addresses at Wanganui. A good job they were out. Bye, bye. Bes: love. —Bert.” The postmarks on one letter indicated that it had been written before the crime and the dates in Jhe mi*, sives themselves was May 8, 1939.