HENLEY MURDER

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 June 1938, Page 8

HENLEY MURDER

LOWER COURT HEARING CONTINUED NUMBER OF WITNESSED CALLED (By Telegraph—Press Association.) DUNEDIN, This Day. The Lower Court hearing of the charge against Eric Sandagger Parks, aged 26, of murdering Frances Amelia Lee at Henley, on April 14 was resumed in the Police Court this morning. Deceased's mother, Sarah Erickson, stated that deceased was 48 years old. Accused had visited her home with Miss Lee, and"she had last seen accused on the evening of April 14. When he made inquiries regarding an order book he had left at the cafeteria. Witness did not hear accused say anything about going to Henley. There was nothing unusual about his actions or appearance.

Thora Selinda Erickson, a cafeteria assistant, daughter of the previous witness, stated that she had known accused ror a year, first meeting him at the Henley farm. She couldn’t say what terms existed between accused and deceased. Accused delivered soft drinks to the cafeteria on April 14. He appeared quite normal, and she saw him at her mother’s home the same evening. At this stage witness broke down and her evidence was suspended. Jessie Morris stated that the accused had boarded with her for six months. She had met his fiancee, Frances Lee, who had also boarded with her for three weeks. Accused had told her that his engagement was broken off. He was very upset, saying: “I can’t do without her.” He then went out, returning quite cheerful, with the remark that the matter had been settled. On accused’s birthday, April 13, he told witness he had had a letter- again breaking off the engagement and exclaimed: “A nice birthday present.” Accused did not appear so upset as before. He had been unwell for a month. He was depressed on the Wednesday, but there was not anything unusual. On the evening of April 14 accused was quite normal when he came home. He changed his clothes and went out, later returning, when he said he could not get a hired car, but had obtained a light truck and was going away. He had previously told her he intended going to visit his mother at Port. Moly - neaux. He seemed in a hurry and a little excited. Witness did not hear accused return, but when she came out of her bedroom in the morning she smelt gas, but thought it was just an escape from the gas ring. She went to bed again for a couple of hours, after which her daughter said something about gas. She then went upstairs, knocking on the door of' accused’s room without receiving any response. Later she broke open the door and opened a window. The room was filled with gas with two burners turned on and accused was far through. Cross-examined by accused’s counsel, Mr White, witness said: “I’ve nothing to say against accused. He was always a very decent chap.” William Robert .rffee, company manager, stated that he had known accused for 16 years. On April 14 accused asked for the use of a car for the night, to go to his home at Port Molyneaux. There was none available and accused agreed to take a truck. The speedometer then showed 155 miles. Accused mentioned that he would want the truck till 11 o’clock next morning. There was nothing unusual in accused’s actions or speech. When the truck was returned the speedometer showed 202 miles, or 47 miles run. There was some fine loose clay on the seat next the driver’s seat, but no sign of blood. To Mr White: Accused chose the truck with a cab, saying it would be warm for his girl during the drive to Port Molyneaux. Walter Hemsley, cordial manufacturer, brother-in-law of the accused, said he had noticed nothing peculiar about accused’s demeanour during the last two or three weeks he had been working.

To Mr White: Witness said he had several times visited accused when the latter was in hospital, subsequent on April 14. Accused had been seriously ill for nine weeks,