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JEALOUS
But Denies Shooting Wife
OLD MAN CHARGED
Tr'' Y AT NORTH SYDNEY
SYDNEY, Monday.
An inquest was opened to
day concerning the death of
Miriam Gertrude Merriman
' (42), Polly Point, North Sydney.
Frederick Laurence, an old
man, who was charged with
murder, was present in cus
tody.
Dr. Sobieti said the bullet had pas
sed through a vital centre.
Other evidence was given that
while the woman was ironing collars
a bullet struck' her at the base of the
skull and passed through her head. She
fell backwards on to the concrete
floor and fractured her skull, but she
was dead before she hit the floor, for
the bullet had killed her instantly.
Sergt. Travers said that Laurence
told him that he had been jealous of
his wife because of prowlers who were
coming round, but he denied having
shot her. He added that she was not
his wife, but they had been living
together for 20 years.
Laurence was alleged to have Raid
that he was on the verandah when a
shot was fired. He ran around to the
kitchen and saw his wife on the
floor.
Detective Sergeant Sadler stated
that at the Central Police Court on
June 13 Laurence said to him : "This
is a terrible thing. I wish I could
bring her back. I did it all right."
Mrs. Catherine Broderick, who was
residing at Laurence's house, said that
Laurence %told her that he had set
traps for any men who would be com
ing to see Mrs. Laurence. He told her
he had noticed specks of strychnine
on his lunches once or twice and said
he would get them analysed next time.
On May 13 he showed her a revolver
and said : "It is either she or mo for
it, and on. Sunday night I was nearly
putting the revolver to my temple."
The same afternoon he brought a rifle
out on -the verandah and cleaned it.
The coroner committed Laurence for
trial on a charge of murder.
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