Murder Charge Denied (Press, 1 July 1969)

The murder trial of 21-year-old Michael Wayne Frelan commenced at the Supreme Court in Auckland on June 30, 1969. Frelan, who works as a saddler, has pleaded not guilty to the charge of murdering Morris Jury around March 20, 1969. The trial is presided over by Mr Justice Henry, with Mr K. Ryan representing Frelan and Mr D. S. Morris acting for the Crown. The court heard testimony from John Patrick Egan, a self-employed motor mechanic who has known Frelan for approximately 15 to 16 years. Egan recalled seeing both Frelan and Jury at the Ponsonby Club Hotel on March 20, just before he left around 10 p.m. He observed that while Jury appeared intoxicated, Frelan had been drinking but was still able to engage in conversation without slurring his words. Egan noted that their shared school experience included a tragic event in which a fellow pupil was killed, an incident that had a significant emotional impact on them. Another witness, Ngaio Ivan Williamson, a part-time taxi driver, testified about the events of the same night. He stated that around midnight, a man carrying an overnight bag requested a ride to Tiveaton Road, Blockhouse Bay. Williamson identified Frelan as the man who got into his taxi. He mentioned that the bag seemed larger and squatter than the one presented in court. Constable Eric Leslie Marshall provided further details from the investigation. He recounted visiting the address of 11 Tole Street on March 22 at 7:20 p.m., alongside Constable Paul Smith. Upon entry, they found the sitting room in disarray, with personal items strewn about. They discovered a man's body in the bedroom, clad only in a singlet and a cotton shirt, with a pair of underpants around the neck. These underpants were cut away by Constable Smith. The room's lights were off, and the curtains were drawn. Although the scene was concerning, Constable Marshall noted that the death did not appear suspicious, as the underpants were not knotted, and there were no visible bruises on the deceased’s face. He contacted an undertaker and subsequently locked the door before leaving the scene. The trial continues as the jury examines the evidence and testimonies presented in this complex case.

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