THE RECENT PALMERSTON NORTH TRAGEDY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIX, Issue 8114, 7 April 1906, Page 5

THE RECENT PALMERSTON NORTH TRAGEDY.

THE INQUEST. PALMERSTON N., April 6. The coroner's enquiry in connection with the recent tragedy, the victim of which was Prederiok Mur - fltt, was held to-day. Owing to the weak state of the woman (Mrs Harris) the enquiry was held at the Hospital. A quantity of evidence was taken on the lines of the facts already pub lished. A letter found on Mrs Harris 1 premises five days after the occurrence was also read as follows:—"My dear Mother—l hope all is well. Forgive me, as I hope God will. Good-bye, from your poor daughter, Maria Tolley." (This was Mrs Harris' maiden name). The letter was roughly printed on a strap of paper. Detective Maddern said that on the mDrning he charged Mrs Harris with the murder of Murfitt, by shooting him on the 21st March last, she said she did not intend to shoot him, but bought the revolver to kill herself, adding that she bad tried to do so before. The evidence submitted went to show that jealousy of deceased's niece prompted Mrs Harris to do the deed. The jury returned a verdict—"That the deoeased Frederick Mur fltt came to his death by a bullet from the revolver fired by Mrs Harris." A rider was added that the shot was fired while the woman was in an unsound state of mind.