CHRISTCHURCH MURDER

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2641, 25 October 1909, Page 4

CHRISTCHURCH MURDER

INQUEST’ ON THE VICTIM. piSSiSToSi 23. Tr immest touching tho death of Vico Edith Newman who was shot A.ice miver Grid on Monday St ’was ’resumed before Mr. W R. TlSelden, Coroner, and a jury of six ift ™nrniim The accused, Roberts, was again in Court in charge of two C °Constable Evans said that on the ™ 19th fast he was searching for Roberts 7: - Prebbleton district. On arrival at the pSubSton hotel about 11.30 fm he quietly entered the bar. Robi'ts was there, leaning on the counter rl+itirf a letter. Roberts put the letter i„ L his pocket. Witness put hi a hand in Roberts’ pocket and found a lK ' rS, „nition Be handcuffed Roberts, and”then charged him with the murder of Alice Neivman. Roberts replied ‘You’ve got the wrong man this time \ few minutes later he took the letter /produced), which he had been writing frem his pocket and threw it behind im Witness picked it up and Roberts’ asked him to destroy it Roberts Sen took another letter /produced)’ from his pocket and tore it in halt. Ho again asked witness to destroy them, as they would do him harm The Coroner then read two letters to the jury, who afterwards examined th The first letter, which was addressed “Dear Mr. Burns,” was as follows: —“Excuse me for writing you these few lines, but I could not live without Alice. I am tak.ne my own life now, and I am sorry I did not takethat life who was trying to do me of it. We’ve a child, and I hope you wilP. sret somebody to look after it. Ti it; had been near us at the time I would have done for the poor litt’e chap, rather thee see him homeless in this world. Might God forgive me for doin" such a thing, but I could not see her messing round with other fellows, so, Mr. Burns, you might do me a H-rer I> T- leHino’ rriv people know about this sad thing? Write to Mrs. Sinclair. 47. Ure Street. Goran, Glasgow. The letter bore the signature “A. PnLrH’s,” which, however, had been deleted. . .. The second letter was in the form ot a poem, and was written on the hack of o ’otter to Roberts from his mother in Glasgow. It was as follows: “Whoever finds this send it home to mv mother. “Dear mother, I cannot lire without: her, howerer much I try, When .1 think of our troubles how bitterly I cry. I think it will be better when underneath the clay. When our souls meet together in that: bright land forerer.” The letter was signed “Your brokenhearted son.” Continuing his eridence, Constab’eEvans said he found a box of cartridges on the accused. At 12.10 p.m. the. jury retired, and' an hour later returned the followingverdict —“That the said Alice Edith: Newman died- at Christchurch on October 18th, 1909, from a bullet wound inflicted by Arthur John Wilson Roberts. and that the said Arthur John Wilson Roberts did murder the said Alice Edith Newman.” Roberts will appear at the “lagistrate’s Court next Wednesday on a. charge of murder.