WOMAN’S DEATH
AN ARREST MADE PALMERSTON NORTH TRAGEDY. MAN CHARGED WITH MURDER. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) PALMERSTON N., November 26. Between noon and 1 pan. today an arrest was made in connection with the death of Mrs Ida Gwen Speight, who died at her home, 245 Park Road, Palmerston North, as the result of head injuries received when savagely attacked with a hammer last night. The man arrested has been charged with murder, but he is yet to appear before the Court. So far as is known, no motive for the assault has been established. The first intimation of anything untoward was piercing screams which startled a neighbour, Mr Eric Ranfurly Harris, who rushed to a window and heard further screams, to which were added the sounds of thudding blows. He sought the assistance of Mr V. D. Christensen, another neighbour, who immediately telephoned the police. Within a few minutes Constable J. Gunn was on the scene, and knocked on the front door. There was no immediate response and he knocked again, this time being answered by groans from within. He was about to investigate further, when a man rode a bicycle at a fast pace up the drive of the house and on to the street. The constable called to the rider to stop, but the latter kept on his way and disappeared in a southerly direction. Being unable to gain entrance by the front door, which was held by a Yale lock, the constable went to the back entrance, which was wide open, and investigated the interior of the house. On every hand in the dining-room, there were signs of a severe struggle, and lying on her back, in a pool of blood, with her head battered, was Mrs Speight. Evidence of the manner in which she had received her injuries was provided by a claw hammer, lying close to her body, and wrapped in a cloth.
When she was found, Mrs Speight was still breathing, but was unconscious, and died shortly afterward. It was apparent from the position. of articles in the room that Mrs Speight was attacked from behind while operating an electric sewing machine, and as far as could be discovered, there were no signs of robbery or of any other motive for the crime. An inquest was opened tonight.before the coroner, Mr A. T. Graham. After formal evidence of identification it was adjourned sine die. ACCUSED MAN brother of murdered woman. POLICE OBTAIN REMAND. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) PALMERSTON N„ This Day. Arising from the tragedy in Park Road on Tuesday night, Ronald Herbert Mellar, a surfaceman, married, aged 24, living in Palmerston North, brother of the dead woman, was charged before justices of the peace with murdering Mrs Ida Gwen Speight. Detective-Sergeant Meiklejohn asked that accused by remanded to appear in Wellington on December 4. He said a number of inquiries had yet to be made by the police. It was anticipated that on December 4 a further week’s remand would be sought and that at the end of that time the case would be proceeded with. Representing the accused. Mr L. G. H. Sinclair agreed to the remand, which was granted.
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Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 November 1941, Page 6
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527WOMAN’S DEATH Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 November 1941, Page 6
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