Contemporary Press Articles:

Part II: The Trial

The Times (London), Tuesday August 24, 1954. p. 5.

ALLEGED MURDER OF MOTHER
TWO GIRLS CHARGED

Christchurch (N.Z.). Aug. 23.--Juliet Hulme, aged 15, formerly of Liverpool, and her friend, Pauline Parker, aged 16, were accused to-day of the murder of Pauline's mother, Mrs. Honora Mary Parker, aged 45, on June 22. Both pleaded Not Guilty.
The court was told that there were 69 (stet) injuries to the head and hands of Mrs. Parker and that she died of shock after being beaten with a blunt instrument. Juliet's mother, Mrs. Hilda Marion Hulme, and Pauline's father, Mr. Herbert Rieper, spoke of an "intense devotion" that sprang up between the two girls while they attended Christchurch Girls' High School. Juliet's father is Dr. H.R. Hulme, former director of operational research of the Admiralty.
Mrs. Hulme said that Juliet was born in England and suffered shock from bombing when she was two years old. Nightmares and illness kept her from school for two years. After they came to New Zealand in 1948 Juliet went to Christchurch Girls' High School. But she was in a sanatorium for four months in 1953 and was not described as "cured" when she was discharged.
Mrs. Hulme said she discovered that the girls had been planning to go to America to have their writing published. Both girls spent much time writing. Dr. Hulme had intended to go to England in March, leaving Juliet in New Zealand, but when the girls' plan was discovered it was decided to take Juliet to South Africa.

LAUGHS AND JOKES
Mr. Rieper said that he and Mrs. Parker had been pleased that Juliet was going away because then the friendship would end. Pauline went to stay with Juliet for 10 days and the two of them came back to Pauline's home on the morning of the day of the killing. They were laughing and joking at lunch when he came home.
It was that afternoon when the girls hurried into the teashop of Mrs. Agnes Ritchie, at Victoria Park, covered in blood. Pauline said, "Mummy. She's been terribly hurt," Mrs. Ritchie said.
The prosecutor, Mr. A.W. Brown, read a statement, alleged to have been made by Juliet, which said that Pauline had hoped to go to South Africa with her. They thought Mrs. Parker would object, so they decided to discuss it with her during a farewell visit to Victoria Park. According to the alleged statement, Juliet knew that it was planned to take a brick wrapped in a stocking. It continued: "I was not sure what was going to happen when we went to the park. I thought we may have been able to frighten Mrs. Rieper with the brick to have given her consent to Pauline and I staying together. After the first blow was struck I knew it would be necessary for us to kill her. I was terrified and hysterical."--Reuter.

The Sydney Morning Herald, Tuesday August 24, 1954. [sb]

Teenagers On Trial Called "Dirty-Minded"

Christchurch, Monday [Aug. 23]--The battering to death of a woman on June 22 was described in the Christchurch Supreme Court to-day as "a premeditated murder conducted by two dirty-minded little girls."
Parents of the girls gave evidence that they had suffered severe illnesses, one of them having been bomb-shocked in England.
The girls, Pauline Yvonne Parker, 16, and Juliet Marion Hulme, 15 years and 10 months, were charged with having murdered Pauline's mother, Honora Mary Parker.
Both girls pleaded not guilty, and sat quietly throughout the day's proceedings.
Juliet Hulme is the daughter of Dr. H.R. Hulme, who retired recently as rector (sic) of Canterbury University College to take up a post in England.
The Crown Prosecutor, Mr. Alan W. Brown, who had described Parker and Hulme as "dirty-minded little girls," said that Mrs. Parker was known as Mrs. Rieper.
She had lived with Herbert Rieper and nobody knew that they were not married.

No Place for Sentiment
Mr. Brown said that the motive for the murder was that Mrs. Parker opposed the plans of the girls to go overseas together.
He said the friendship of the girls was one of intense devotion.
They spent a good deal of time in each other's beds and scribbled what they called novels.
Mr. Brown said: "You may feel pity for these girls, but pity and sentiment have no part in British justice."
Mr. Brown told the Court that the Crown believed it had been planned that Hulme was to have gone ahead of Mrs. Parker in Victoria Park with Pauline behind her mother.

Plan To Visit America
Hulme was to have placed a pink stone in a convenient spot and Mrs. Parker asked to examine the stone.
Then Pauline would have hit her on the back of the neck with a stocking containing the brick.
"There was no evidence that Rieper and Mrs. Parker had not been good parents," said Mr. Brown.
"The circumstances in Dr. Hulme's home were unhappy.
"The girls planned to go to America together, and later, Parker wanted to go to South Africa with Dr. Hulme and Juliet Hulme.
"They knew Mrs. Parker would protest and they decided to kill her.
"The girls coldly and calculatingly desired to kill Mrs. Parker and they decided on a farewell outing to the Hills at Victoria Park.
"Shortly after 2:30 p.m. that day, Mrs. Parker and the two girls arrived at the park and had drinks at the tea kiosk.
"The girls later came running up the steps of the tea rooms, their hands and clothing covered in blood, and said that mummy was hurt.
"Parker said that her mother had hit her head on a board.
"Close to the dead woman's head was part of a brick, and further away, a bloodstained portion of a stocking."
Mr. Brown said that on the day Mrs. Parker was killed, Juliet Hulme made a statement to Senior Detective Macdonald Brown.

Part Of Brick In Newspaper
He said that Juliet had said she did not see any blow struck and that Pauline told her that Mrs. Parker had slipped and hit her head against a stone.
Mr. Brown said that next day police interviewed Hulme again and she made another statement after apologising for misleading police the previous night.
After describing plans for the visit to the park, the second alleged statement said: "I knew this was the trip we had planned.
"I left home about 10:30 a.m. I had part of a brick which I wrapped in a newspaper. I had got it from near the garage.
"I gave it to Pauline. I know the brick was put into a stocking at the Rieper's house. I did not put it there...
"I saw Pauline hit Mrs. Rieper with the brick in the stocking.
"I took the stocking and hit her, too."
"I was not quite sure what was going to happen when we went to Victoria Park.
"I thought we may have been able to frighten Mrs. Rieper with a brick and she would have given her consent for Pauline and me to stay. (stet)
"After the first blow was struck I knew it would be necessary for us to kill her. I was terrified and hysterical."
In an alleged statement by Pauline Parker she said that she had killed her mother and had made up her mind to do it a few days previously.

Hit "Great Many Times"
Mr. Brown said that when asked what her mother said when she was struck, Pauline replied "I would rather not answer that."
He said that when she was asked how many times she had hit her mother, Pauline replied, "I don't know. A great many times, I imagine."
Mr. Brown then read the following extracts from a diary found in Pauline Parker's room:--
February 13, 1954: "Why could not mother die? Dozens, thousands of people are dying; why not mother, and father, too? Life is very hard."
April 28: "Anger against mother boiling inside me as she is the main obstacle in my path. Suddenly means of ridding myself of the obstacle occur to me. If she was to die..."
Diary Plan To "Moider Mother"
April 29:--"I did not tell Deborah of my plans for removing mother. The last fate I wish to meet is one in a Borstal. I wish to make it appear a natural or accidental death."
[Deborah was Pauline's pet name for Juliet Hulme.]
An entry in the dairy for June 19 referred to a plan "to moider mother" and said "naturally we are a trifle nervous but elation is great."
June 20.--"Deborah and I talked for some time. Afterwards we discussed our plans for moidering mother and made them clear. But peculiarly enough I have no qualms of conscience. Or is it peculiar? We are so made (sic)."
June 21.--"Deborah rang and we decided to use a brick in a stocking rather than a sandbag. Mother has fallen in with plans beautifully. Feel quite keyed up."
June 22.--"I felt very excited last night and sort of night- before-Christmas, but I did not have pleasant dreams. I am about to rise."
Mr. Brown said the diary for that day was headed "The day of the happy event."

Had Several Operations
Herbert Rieper, company manager, said he had lived with Mrs. Parker for the last 23 years and they had three children, Pauline being the second.
She had been a normal child, but suffered from osteomyelitis when she was five and had spent eight or nine months in hospital.
He said that at lunch time on the day Mrs. Parker was killed, Pauline and Juliet were laughing and joking.
Rieper said that Pauline had several operations.
He had seen her with other girls but very seldom.
She had treated him personally with disdain and was easily upset.
Rieper said that Pauline had been interested in a boy who had stayed with them during 1953, but the boy had been sent away.
Hilda Marion Hulme, mother of Juliet, said her daughter was born in England on October 28, 1938, and the family came to New Zealand in 1948.

Bomb Shock As Two-year-old
When two years old Juliet suffered bomb shock and had nightmares.
At one time Juliet had been very ill and was away from school for two years.
Juliet had been in a sanatorium at Cashmere, outside Christchurch. She was there for about four months during 1953. She was not discharged cured.
Mrs. Hulme added: "We loved Juliet dearly and did all we could for her."
Reason for the girls going to America was to have their books published. "Juliet had to spend a lot of time resting on her bed and Pauline would keep her company," said Mrs. Hulme.
It became increasingly difficult to draw them into the family circle."
Mrs. Hulme said that on June 21 "Juliet was radiantly happy" over the proposed outing to Victoria Park.

Resentment For Brother
About Christmas time the girls changed their names. Juliet was called Deborah and Pauline was called Gina.
To Mr. T.A. Gresson, for Juliet Hulme, Mrs. Hulme said Juliet was very sensitive and demanding.
"Juliet appeared to resent her brother and this was a problem," she added.
Mrs. Hulme said she had read one of Juliet's books. It was quite ordinary, not overexciting.
On one occasion she had talked to Juliet and asked her not to be so extreme in her views.
The hearing was adjourned until 10 a.m. to-morrow.--A.A.P.- Reuter.

The Times (London), Wednesday August 25, 1954. p. 5.

MURDER CHARGE AGAINST GIRLS
PLEA OF INSANITY

Christchurch (N.Z.), Aug. 24.--A plea of insanity was submitted by defence counsel to-day on behalf of Juliet Hulme, aged 15, formerly of Liverpool, and her friend Pauline Parker, aged 16, who are accused of the murder of Pauline's mother, Mrs. Honora Mary Parker.
Mrs. Parker was found dead in Victoria Park, Christchurch, on June 22. It is alleged that Pauline and Juliet beat her to death with a brick in a stocking. Their alleged motive was fear that she would stop Pauline going to South Africa with Juliet, her inseparable companion, who was being taken abroad by her father.
A psychiatrist, Dr. R.W. Medlicott, told the court that a "reversal of the moral sense" was apparent in both girls. They suffered from "paranoia--a form of delusion--of an exalted type, in a setting of folie a deux," a term used to describe "communicated insanity."
Opening the defence, Mr. T.A. Gresson said it would be shown that the girls were insane at the time of the crime. They were not ordinary dirty-minded little girls, as the prosecution alleged, but were mentally ill and not legally responsible for their actions.
Insanity, he said, was often accompanied by a high degree of intelligence. "The barbarity and hopelessly irrational confidence of the accused, their youth, and Parker's diary, in which is reflected the deterioration of the two girls like an evil mirror, might already have raised doubts in the jury's mind as to their sanity."
The court adjourned until to-morrow.--Reuter.
The Manchester Guardian, Wednesday August 25, 1954. p. 5.

TRIAL OF TWO SCHOOLGIRLS ON MURDER CHARGE
Court Hears Evidence of Insanity

Christchurch (N.Z.), August 24.--Two girls charged with murdering the elder's mother were said in court at Wellington to-day to have had "their own paradise, their own god and religion, and their own morality." The diary of the elder, Pauline Parker, 16, spoke of their having discovered "the key to the fourth world." Only about ten people, it claimed, had this key.
Pauline's mother, Mrs Honora Mary Parker, 45, was found battered to death in Victoria Park, Christchurch, on June 22. It is alleged that Pauline and her 15-year-old friend Juliet Hulme murdered her with a brick wrapped in a stocking. According to the prosecution the motive for the murder was the girls' fear that Mrs Parker would stop Pauline from going to South Africa with Juliet, her inseparable companion, who was being taken abroad by her father, Dr H.R. Hulme.
A psychiatrist, Dr R.W. Medlicott, said that a "reversal of the moral sense" was apparent in both girls. They suffered from "paranoia--a form of delusion--of an exalted type, in a setting of folie a deux," a term used to describe "communicated insanity."
The prosecution case closed to-day. Mr T.A. Gresson, opening the case for the defence, said it would be shown that the girls were insane at the time of the crime, and not legally responsible for their actions.
Dr Medlicott had stated that when he interviewed them the girls "exulted over their crime" and showed no reasonable emotional appreciation of their situation.
Both girls, Dr Medlicott went on, had had a difficult adolescence and their association proved tragic for them. There was no proof it was a physical relationship, but "there is a lot of suggestion in their diaries that a physical relationship occurred." Pauline's young sister was an imbecile, and her baby sister died shortly after birth. Both girls were sensitive, selfish, and imaginative, and showed an inability to tolerate criticism. It seemed clear, he added, that they always wrote to each other as imaginary characters.
Mr Gresson said that insanity was often accompanied by a high degree of intelligence. He continued: "The barbarity and hopelessly irrational confidence of the accused, their youth, and Parker's diary in which is reflected the deterioration of the two girls like an evil mirror, might already have raised doubts in the jury's mind as to their sanity."
Juliet's mother, Mrs Hilda Marion Hulme, who gave evidence when the trial was resumed this morning, was questioned about an entry in her daughter's diary. She told the Court how she had prepared a cup of tea for Walter Perry, an engineer who occupied part of the Hulmes' home, who was ill at the time. Mrs Hulme said that it was while she was in Perry's bedroom, and also having a cup of tea, that Juliet appeared and laughingly said something like: "The balloon has gone up." Asked to explain, Juliet said: "I hoped I'd catch you out." Mrs Hulme said she felt that Juliet's sense of humour was in bad taste.

Question of Divorce

Walter Perry told the Court that Mrs Hulme's account of the incident was correct. "In fact," he said, "I was admitted to hospital the next week. Juliet discussed the fact that she was going to blackmail me on the night she found Mrs Hulme giving me tea." Perry admitted that he had fallen in love with Mrs Hulme, but at no time had there been any deception with Dr Hulme about their state of affairs.
Mrs Hulme had told the Court that the question of divorce was under discussion. An entry in Juliet's diary alleged that when Juliet asked for an explanation of the incident Mrs Hulme said: "Well, you see, we are in love." According to the diary, Mrs Hulme further explained that Dr Hulme knew all about it and that they intended to live "as a threesome."
The Court adjourned until to-morrow.--Reuter.

The Sydney Morning Herald, Wednesday August 25, 1954. p. 4. [sb]

INSANITY PLEA FOR GIRLS CHARGED WITH MURDER

Christchurch (N.Z.), Tues. [Aug. 24]--Two doctors would say that two teenage girls were insane when they killed the mother of one of them, the Supreme Court was told to-day by counsel for one of the girls.
Counsel said it was "clear beyond dispute" that the girls had killed the woman, and that the "vital and all-important" question was their sanity or otherwise.

DISCUSSION OF DIVORCE
"We must prove they are insane by competent evidence," he said.
A psychiatrist said the girls were suffering from paranoia (a form of delusion) of an "exalted type."
The girls are Pauline Yvonne Parker, 16, and Juliet Marion Hulme, 15.
They are charged with having murdered Pauline's mother, Honora Mary Parker, known as Mrs. Rieper, 45, at Christchurch on June 22 last.
Juliet is the daughter of Dr. H.R. Hulme, former Rector of Canterbury University College, Christchurch, who sailed to take up an overseas appointment some weeks ago.
During to-day's hearing, Juliet's mother, Mrs. Hilda Marion Hulme, said that divorce had been "under discussion."
Walter Andrew Bowman Perry, who last Christmas went to live in a flat which was part of the Hulme's home, told the Court he had fallen in love with Mrs. Hulme.
Mrs. Hulme and Perry denied an entry in Pauline's diary that Juliet had said she had found them in bed together one night.
At the trial, Pauline Parker is represented by Dr. A.L. Haslam, with Mr. J.A. Wicks, and Juliet Hulme by Mr. T.A. Gresson, with Mr. B. McClelland. The Crown Prosecutor is Mr. A.W. Brown, with Mr. P.T. Mahon. Mr. Justice Adams is on the bench.
Mr. Gresson told the jury: "Neither Dr. Haslam nor I would advance a defence of insanity if there were no competent medical evidence to support it.
"The Crown has referred to the girls as ordinary, dirty- minded little girls. Our evidence will show they are mentally ill.
"Their interest in sexual and homosexual matters will show they are not ordinary, but ill."
He said the girls were suffering from paranoia of an exalted type and folie a deux (a term used to describe communicated insanity).
Dr. Reginald Warren Medlicott, superintendent of Ashburn Hall private psychiatric hospital, Dunedin, said: "Both girls are sensitive, selfish, imaginative, and show an inability to tolerate criticism. Pauline has ruled her friendships by bursts of temper."

FORM OF INSANITY
Dr. Medlicott said he considered the girls were suffering from paranoia of an exalted type. In a setting of folie a deux, paranoia was a form of systematised insanity.
It was not unusual for adolescents to become arrogant. They frequently went through a stage of forming passions for members of their own sex.
There was no proof that there was a physical relationship, he said, adding that homosexuality was love for a member of one's own sex.
Dr. Medlicott added: "On my second visit on the second week- end, they could not be bothered giving up a walk in the sun to talk to me.
"There was a gross reversal of moral sense. They admired what was evil, and condemned that which the community considered good.
"They said they had their own god and religion."
After a short time with them, he was convinced they were insane. Each girl would have sudden spells of intentness.
They would "click into gear"; they showed a conceit which was quite out of the world of normality; they were prepared to accept their books as world-shattering; their arrogance, like their conceit was not normal; they persistently abused him.

ENTRY IN DIARY READ
Dr. Medlicott said Pauline's younger sister was an imbecile. Juliet's ill-health and separations from her parents would tend to break normal associations.
Both girls had a difficult adolescence, and their association had proved tragic for them.
When he interviewed them, the girls exulted over their crime, and showed no reasonable emotional appreciation of their situation.
When the trial resumed to-day, Mrs. Hulme re-entered the witness box.

"SECRET JOKE"
Asked by Dr. Haslam about an entry in Pauline's diary for April 23, Mrs. Hulme said:
"One night Mr. Perry took ill.
"I heard a disturbance in the house and went to the dividing door which leads to his flat, and called out to him. He was in obvious pain."
She made him a cup of tea and sat on the side of his bed and drank a cup of tea, too. She heard the door move and Juliet appeared.
Mrs. Hulme added: "Juliet seemed amused at a secret joke of her own. Asked why she was laughing, Juliet said something like 'The balloon has gone up.'
"Asked to explain, she said, 'I hoped to catch you out.'
"I felt Juliet's sense of humor was in bad taste, and I was upset with her."
Mr. Brown (for the Crown) read the entry from Pauline's diary about the incident on the night of April 23, as follows:--
"This afternoon I played Tosca and wrote before ringing Deborah (her name for Juliet).
"Then she told me the stupendous news. Last night she woke at 2 a.m. and for some reason went to her mother's room.
"It was empty, so she went downstairs to look for her. Deborah could not find her, so she crept as stealthily as she could into Mr. Perry's flat.
"She heard voices from inside, and she stayed outside for a little while, then opened the door and switched on the light.

BEDROOM INCIDENT
"Mr. Perry and Mrs. Hulme were in bed drinking tea. Deborah felt an hysterical tendency to giggle.
She said, 'Hello.' She was shaking with emotion and shock, although she knew what she would find. They giggled at her for a minute and her mother said, 'I suppose you want an explanation?'
"'Yes,' Deborah replied, 'I do.'
"'Well, you see we are in love,' her mother explained. Deborah was wonderful. Her mother explained that Dr. Hulme knew all about it, and that they intended to live as a threesome."
Mr. Brown (to Mrs. Hulme): Had you told Dr. Hulme of the incident of the night?
Mrs. Hulme: Yes.
The diary states, "Dr. and Mrs. Hulme are going to divorce." Was that so?--Do I have to answer that?
Mrs. Hulme then said it was under discussion.
Mr. Brown: Why should Dr. Hulme talk to the girls about divorce?
Mrs. Hulme: Because of the incident in Perry's bedroom the night before.
Walter Andrew Bowman Perry, engineer, said he went as a guest to Dr. Hulme's home at Christmas, 1953, and lived in part of the house.
He, Dr. Hulme and Mrs. Hulme were very friendly.
Perry said he had read Pauline's 1954 diary. Mrs. Hulme's version of the incident in his room was correct.
Perry said he had fallen in love with Mrs. Hulme.
Mr. Gresson: Has there at any time been any deception with Dr. Hulme about that state of affairs?
Perry: Definitely not.
The Hearing was adjourned until to-morrow.--A.A.P.-Reuter.

The Times (London), Thursday August 26, 1954. p. 5.

GIRLS ON MURDER CHARGE
EVIDENCE ON INSANITY

Wellington (N.Z.), Aug. 25.--Dr. R.W. Medlicott, medical superintendent of Ashburn Hall psychiatric hospital, to-day continued evidence for the defence in the trial of the two girls, Pauline Yvonne Parker and Juliet Marion Hulme, who are charged with the murder of Mrs. Parker (mother of one of the accused girls.)
He said that both girls, in his opinion, were certifiably insane. They knew what the law was but did not acknowledge that their action was morally wrong; they thought killing Mrs. Parker was morally right--by their own standards, not the standards of the community.
The Crown prosecutor (Mr. A.W. Brown) asked: "Why then did they try to escape detection?" Dr. Medlicott replied: "Because they had a plan and they knew that being caught would prevent their carrying it out. They considered they were unique geniuses. ..."
Mr. Brown: Why then are the accused insane?
Dr. Medlicott: Because all these actions were done inside a delusional setting.
Mr. Brown: The killing of Mrs. Parker was carefully planned, was it not?
Dr. Medlicott: Yes.
Mr. Brown: Then where was the delusion?
Dr. Medlicott.--Simply this: if they had not been suffering from delusions they would not have wished to do that.

TERRIFIC EXALTATION
Mr. Brown spent some time cross-examining Dr. Medlicott about poetry found in the back of Parker's diary and asked in what way it convinced Dr. Medlicott that the girls were insane. Dr. Medlicott said: "Because of its terrific exaltation." Mr. Brown thereupon recited more poetry without informing Dr. Medlicott who wrote it: but later he informed the witness that the poetry was a Shakespeare sonnet and a poem of Walter de la Mare.
Mr. Brown.--Is there not evidence of exaltation in these?
Dr. Medlicott replied that he could not regard these on their own as evidence of the writer's insanity.
A description of a vision was then read to Dr. Medlicott, who was invited by Mr. Brown to comment upon it. He answered that he could not agree that insanity was a reasonable inference from the description of the vision. Mr. Brown then informed the court that the quotation was from the Fourth Chapter of the Revelation of St. John.
The court adjourned with Dr. Medlicott still giving evidence.--from our correspondent.
Christchurch (N.Z.), Aug. 25.--Dr. Medlicott to-day read several alleged items from Pauline Parker's diary to the court trying the two girls for murder. --Reuter.

The Sydney Morning Herald, Thursday August 26, 1954. p. 5. [sb]

Girls On Murder Charge Had A "Fourth World"

Christchurch (N.Z.) Wed. [Aug. 25]--A leading psychiatrist said to-day that two teenage girls charged with having murdered the mother of one of them, had told him of their "fourth world," and their own gods, religion and paradise.
The psychiatrist told Christchurch Supreme Court that the girls were insane at the time of the killing, and he would have no hesitation in certifying them.
The girls, Pauline Yvonne Parker, 16, and Juliet Marion Hulme, 15, are charged with having murdered Pauline's mother, Honora Mary Parker (known as Mrs. Rieper), 45, at Christchurch on June 22.
Juliet is the daughter of Dr. H.R. Hulme, former Rector of Canterbury University College, Christchurch.
The psychiatrist, Dr. Reginald Warren Medlicott, of Dunedin, told the Court to-day that Juliet Hulme had told him that "in their own religion they went to paradise." Pan was their favorite god.
Juliet had also said that they had discovered the "fourth world" at Port Levy.
She had said that the "fourth world" was definitely there, and added: "Our god is a more powerful version of the humans' God. He has the same powers, only greatly magnified."
Another time Juliet had said: "I do not want to place myself above the law; I am apart from it."
Pauline had said: "We don't believe God could be satisfied with the world and be omnipotent."
Dr. Medlicott said the girls believed that what they had done was morally right, by their own standards. Even now, they showed no remorse.
Pauline had told him: "We are both sane. Everybody else is off the mark. Our views are much more logical and sensible."
He said the nearest he got to remorse with Pauline was when she said that when she slept on her right side, her mother seemed to come back.
She could not stand this, and immediately turned on her left side.

DEVELOPED T.B.
An entry in Pauline's diary had referred to Juliet having developed tuberculosis, and added: "I spent a wretched night. We agreed it would be wonderful if I could get tuberculosis, too."
Another entry in Pauline's diary for January 29 was: "We have worked out how much prostitutes should earn, and how much we should make in this profession."
The "should" gradually changed to "shall," said Dr. Medlicott.
The entry continued: "We have spent a really wonderful day messing around and talking over how much fun we will have in our profession."
A diary entry for June 6 read: "Eventually we enacted how each saint would make love in bed, only doing the first seven, as it was 7:30 a.m. by then. We felt exhausted and very satisfied."

"CAREFULLY PLANNED"
To the Crown Prosecutor, Mr. Alan W. Brown, Dr. Medlicott said that Juliet had told him if she were running the country, she would make laws for others to stick to but, "as king, of course, the laws would not apply to her."
He said both girls knew what the law was but did not recognize it.
They considered their action in killing Pauline's mother to be morally right by their own standards, not by the standards of the community.
They had tried to escape detection because of their plans for the future.
[According to earlier evidence the girls had wanted to go abroad together, but their parents would not agree.]
"They considered they were quite unique geniuses, with their own paradise and could do exactly as they liked," said Dr. Medlicott.
"It was quite right for them to indulge in shoplifting and to steal, because they were merely raising money to further their own plans."

AFFAIR WITH BOY
Dr. Medlicott agreed with Mr. Brown that the killing had been carefully planned.
After the killing the girls knew intellectually that they were in trouble, but never realised it emotionally, he said.
Mr. Brown: Was it not a fact that Pauline had sexual intercourse with a boy?
Dr. Medlicott agreed, but said the fact that a person had sexual relations with a member of the opposite sex did not disprove homosexuality.
Mr. Brown: But she had sexual intercourse over and over again?
Dr. Medlicott: No, only once. That is what she told me.
Mr. Brown quoted extracts from Pauline's diary, referring to nocturnal visits by Pauline to a boy named Nicholas.
Mr. Brown: Was she not in Nicholas's bed as far back as July, 1953, and was she not there from 11:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.
Dr. Medlicott: That is so.

"NOT HAPPY"
Mr. Brown read later diary references to visits paid by Pauline to Nicholas at his new address after he left the Rieper household.
Dr. Medlicott said he thought Pauline was not happy in these relationships. She attempted to break away, but went back, and described all these events to Juliet.
Mr. Brown asked if there could not be several explanations for the ending of Pauline's relations with Nicholas. One might be that they were caught.
Dr. Medlicott replied: "The visits to Nicholas continued for a long time after that."
In earlier diary references it was Nicholas who was "making the pace," he said.
Mr. Brown suggested it could be that Nicholas grew cool, possibly realising the implications of Pauline being under the age of consent.
Dr. Medlicott said that, according to her diary, Pauline sat on a chair most of the night during her later visits to Nicholas in his bedroom.

"MOIDER"
On June 19 the diary entry read: "Our main idea (stet) for the day is moider. We have worked it out clearly."
Dr. Medlicott said: "The diary rises to a quite fantastic crescendo as it goes on.
"Evil becomes more and more important, and one gets the feeling that they became helplessly under its sway."
Mr. Brown referred Dr. Medlicott to a diary entry for April 17, which read: "Mrs. Hulme was perfectly beastly to Deborah (nickname for Juliet).
"She made her apologise for taking a record from Mr. Perry's flat. [Walter Andrew Bowman Perry, an engineer, lived in a flat at Hulme's home. He has told the Court that he fell in love with Mrs. Hulme.]
"This made us feel very cross and childish in a sort of I'll-show-them-so-there-and-that-will-make-'em-sorry feeling.
"We went for a walk in a field and sat on a log, shouting nasty jeering remarks to every rider that passed. About fifty did.
"This cheered us greatly, and we came back and wrote out all the Commandments so that we can break them."
Dr. Medlicott was still being cross-examined when the Court adjourned until to-morrow.--A.A.P.-Reuter.

The Times (London), Friday August 27, 1954. p. 5.

GIRLS ON MURDER CHARGE "INSANE"

Wellington (N.Z.), Aug. 26.--Dr. Francis Bennett, a witness for the defence at the trial of Pauline Parker, aged 16, and Julian (stet) Marion Hulme told him that she had no regrets whatever. Dr. Bennett said that the girls once wrote out the 10 Commandments and then set out to see how many they could break. Hulme told him that not only was the murder of Mrs. Parker justified, but other murders might be justified if anyone threatened the girls' association.
Dr. Bennett added: "To us the murder was bestial, filthy, treacherous. On the occasion of the murder these girls were insane and they never will be sane."
The hearing was adjourned until tomorrow.--from our correspondent.
The Manchester Guardian, Friday August 27, 1954. p. 7.

ALLEGED MURDER OF MOTHER
Girls' "Night Orgies"

Christchurch (New Zealand), Aug. 26.--It was stated in court here today that Pauline Parker, happily doing housework with her mother, broke off to discuss by telephone with her school friend how they should kill the mother next day. The defence is seeking to prove that Pauline (16) and her friend, Juliet Marion Hulme (15), accused of murdering Mrs Parker with a brick in a stocking, are insane. Dr. Francis Bennett said:
"There was the happy harmony of mother and daughter on Monday, the slaughter on Tuesday. To us, who are sane, I hope, it was a murder that was bestial, treacherous, filthy. It is outside all the kindly limits of sanity. It is a thousand miles away from sanity."
The prosecutor, Mr Alan Brown, objected to what he called "this prose poem," but the Judge allowed it as a legitimate statement of the grounds for the doctor's opinion.
Dr Bennett said that the girls had a wild infatuation for each other and spent as much time as possible together, discussing their gods, their books, "bathing and bedding together, and photographing each other in fancy and party dresses and in the nude." They had "nightlong verbal orgies." They did not hate people but despised them. After the murder both Pauline and Juliet told him that they had no regrets whatever, Pauline adding:
"Of course I did not want my family to get involved in this; but we have been terribly happy since it happened, so it has all been a blessing in disguise."
In their own opinion, Dr Bennet (sic) went on, this crime of matricide was right. They knew the nature and quality of their act but did not think it wrong. They believed that Pauline's mother would be in "heaven" but that they would go to "paradise." Juliet said there was no hell--"the idea is so primitive." They had their own "saints," based on film stars.
The girls used to get up in the night and act on the lawn, he added. They made a little cemetery and later turned it into a temple, where a dead mouse was buried under a cross. They also put up crosses for "dead ideas."
The Crown will call three witnesses to rebut the medical evidence of insanity. The case was adjourned until tomorrow.-- Reuter.
The Sydney Morning Herald, Friday August 27, 1954. [sb]

INSANITY PLEA AT N.Z. MURDER TRIAL

Christchurch, Thurs. [Aug. 26]--Dr. Francis O. Bennett told the Supreme Court to-day that two teenage girls on trial for murder "were not sane then, are not sane now and never will be sane."
Dr. Bennett is the second doctor called by the defence to testify that the girls are insane.
To-morrow the Crown will call three witnesses to rebut the defence's medical evidence.

"MATRICIDE WAS RIGHT"
The girls are charged with battering to death the mother of one of them with a half-brick in a stocking.
Dr. Bennett said, "In their opinion this crime of matricide was right. They knew the nature and quality of their act but did not think it wrong.
"The girls knew what they did was wrong in the community's eyes but I doubt whether that entered into their considerations."
The Crown Prosecutor, Mr. A. Brown: But is not that the outlook of all criminals?
Dr. Bennett: Yes, but these happen not to be criminals.
Mr. Justice Adams: That is for the jury to decide.
Dr. Bennett: Yes, your Honor, I should not have said that.
Dr. Bennett said the day before the murder one girl was helping her mother with the housework when the telephone rang and she broke off her work to discuss "moider plans" with the other girl.
He added, "There was the happy harmony of mother and daughter on Monday: the slaughter on Tuesday.
"To us--sane, I hope--it was a murder that was bestial, treacherous and filthy. It is outside all the kindly limits of sanity; it is a thousand miles away from sanity.
Mr. Brown: Your Honor, I object to this prose poem.
Mr. Justice Adams: I think it is a legitimate statement of the grounds for his opinion.
Dr. Bennett said the girls were suffering from paranoia. They lived in a world of their own--a world of delusions that had no reality or values, as the community knew values.
To-day was the fourth day of the trial.
Pauline Yvonne Parker, 16, and Juliet Marion Hulme, 15 years and 10 months, are charged with the murder of Pauline's mother, Honora Mary Parker (known also as Mrs. Rieper), 45, at Christchurch, on June 22.
Mrs. Parker and the two girls went for a walk on Cashmere Hills. Later, the girls returned alone and said Mrs. Parker had slipped and fallen to her death.
The Crown alleges that the girls planned to murder Mrs. Parker and beat her to death with a half-brick swung in a stocking.
Mr. Justice Adams and a jury are hearing the case in the Supreme Court.
Dr. A.L. Haslam and Mr. I.A. Wicks are counsel for Pauline Parker, and Mr. T.A. Gresson and Mr. B. McClelland are appearing for Juliet Hulme.
The Crown Prosecutor is Mr. Alan W. Brown.

Necessary To Give Full Picture
Dr. Haslam, opening the defence case for Pauline Parker, told the jury, "Both girls were insane on the day of the murder to such a degree that they did not know what they were doing.
"We are not here to waste your time with flimsy medical opinions. We ask you give due weight to our medical evidence.
"It is necessary for doctors to give the full picture, but it is the overall picture you must consider and weigh."
Dr. Haslam then called Dr. F.O. Bennett, who, he said, would give evidence agreeing with that of Dr. Medlicott earlier, that the girls were suffering from paranoia and folie a deux.
Dr. Bennett said he had been consulted by Dr. Hulme on December 9 last regarding the association of the girls and again on May 8.
On December 14, he saw Mrs. Parker and Pauline at his surgery.
Dr. Hulme was worried about the unhealthy association of the girls. Mrs. Parker was worried about Pauline's weight.
The interview was not a success. Pauline would answer only "Yes" or "No."
Pauline said her mother frequently nagged at her, her only friend was Juliet and she thought other girls silly. He could not get beyond that.
He had told Mrs. Parker that he thought there was a homosexual relationship between the girls.
Dr. Bennett said that the next time he saw Pauline was at the police station on June 24. He saw each girl separately for about an hour.
On August 6 he saw Juliet at Paparua Prison and Pauline on August 13. He had read both Pauline's diaries and a large part of her novel.
The girls' recent activities, he said, could be explained only on the basis of mutual insanity.
"I agree with Dr. Medlicott that they are suffering from paranoia," he said. "They follow delusion wherever it is and become antisocial and dangerous.
"They think they are superior to the general race of man. They have written a great deal, but I do not consider it of outstanding literary merit.
"Intellectually they are a little higher than girls of their own age, but they are not intellectual giants."

Delusions of Grandeur
Dr. Bennett said the two girls had delusions of grandeur. They formed a "society" of their own and lived in it. In this new society they were no longer under the censure and nagging of mothers.
"They fill it out with their 'saints' and fictional characters," he said.

"FOURTH WORLD" OF OWN
Dr. Bennett read extracts from Pauline's diaries. One, dated April 3, 1953, read:--
"To-day Juliet and I found the key to the fourth world. We realise now that we had it in our possession for six months but we only realised it today.
"We saw a gateway through the clouds. We sat on the edge of a path and looked down a hill out over a bay. The island looked beautiful, the sea was blue and everything was full of peace and bliss.
"We then realised we had the key. We know now that we are not genii, as we thought. We have an extra part of our brain which can appreciate the fourth world."

Had Left This World Behind
After reading other extracts, Dr. Bennett said: "These illustrations show the wild infatuation of these two for each other and their grandiose ideas.
"They bathed and went to bed together. They dressed up. They got up at night and went onto the lawn and acted, ignoring other people.
"They made a little cemetery and later turned it into a temple where a dead mouse was buried and a cross put up. They put up other crosses for dead ideas.
"They had no friends of their own age and never read newspapers."
During the Royal visit to Christchurch the girls made no attempt to see the Queen or the decorations.
There was increasing elation as the story approached its climax. They had the impression that they had left this world behind them.
"The girls have assured me that they don't hate people individually but that they despise them," Dr. Bennett said.
"They believe in survival after death. Juliet said there is no hell--the idea is so primitive."

No Regret Over Murder
Dr. Bennett said Juliet Hulme had told him, "The day we killed her I think she knew beforehand what was going to happen and she did not bear any grudge."
He had asked Juliet if she had any regret and she replied, "None whatsoever."
At one stage the girls wrote out the Ten Commandments and set out to see how many they could break. They claimed Pauline had broken 10 and Juliet only nine.
The girls, he said, always spelt the word murder as "moider." It was a "murder" that was bestial, treacherous and filthy.
Dr. Bennett added, "It is outside all the limits of sanity."
Mr. Brown: This is comment, not evidence.
Mr. Justice Adams: I do not think one can object to such terms.
Dr. Bennett said that had the girls never met they might at least for some years have lived difficult lives before paranoia occurred.
But they met. They lived in a world of elation and despised the lowly world around them.
"They took a delight in breaking its conventions," he said.
"In my opinion they are both folie a deux homosexual paranoics of the elated type.
"They are definitely certifiable.
"They knew they were killing a woman, who she was and the nature of their act. They did not think their act was wrong. They knew it was against the laws of the country but they had a loyalty to their delusion."
Mr. Brown: Did they know what they were doing?
Dr. Bennett: They did.
Mr. Brown: You know they are liars?
Dr. Bennett: Not all the time.
Is their relationship homosexual physically?--I don't know. I am inclined to think not.
They don't like being called that?--They have no holds barred.
Dr. Bennett said that in his first interview with Juliet Hulme she had no idea what he was talking about when homosexuality was mentioned.
Mr. Brown: Didn't the girl Parker have sexual relationships with a number of boys?
Dr. Bennett: Not over a long period.

Film Characters Were Used
Dr. R.W. Medlicott, psychiatrist, earlier concluded his evidence for the defence under cross-examination by the Crown Prosecutor, Mr. Brown.
The girls' "saints," he said, were fictional characters, constituting their "families." They used characters from films to personify their characters.
Mr. Brown: These characters represented not only the faces of film stars, but other parts of their anatomy, didn't they?
Dr. Medlicott: That might have been so.
Mr. Brown read an entry from Parker's diary written on May 29, 1953, which stated, "We did not get up early as we were feeling so tired. We did the saints and played records.
"We were very truthful about the saints, especially their figures. This was not hard as we decided that we like a large amount of man."
Dr. Medlicott said the girls "played" with these characters.
Mr. Brown: You think they played like innocent little children then?
Dr. Medlicott: There is no suggestion that they played like innocent little children.
How did they act among themselves?--There were love scenes. Love is a mild word.
These two people, we will assume, are homosexuals in the physical sense?--There is no proof of that. I am doubtful if they were telling me the truth.

All The "Saints" Were Males
Dr. Medlicott said the "saints" were all males. He thought the girls were homosexual.
Mr. Brown: You agree that references in the diary on May 29 refer to the physical characteristics of various saints?
Dr. Medlicott: They were figures from the films.
Real life figures?--Yes.
"He" at one stage is Mario Lanza?--Yes.
Mr. Brown then read from a diary entry written on June 12, "We returned home and talked for some time about it (sic), getting ourselves more and more excited. Eventually, we enacted how each saint would make love in bed, only doing the first seven as it was 7:30 a.m. by then. We felt exhausted and very satisfied."
Dr. Medlicott, after further questioning about Pauline's diary, agreed that the girls behaved "over and over again as normal human beings."
Mr. Brown: You said earlier that they were both insane and readily certifiable?
Dr. Medlicott: They were both insane and certifiable.
Are you disconcerted to know three competent psychiatrists do not consider them certifiable?--It does not disturb me.
The hearing was adjourned until to-morrow.--SMH staff reporter.

The Times (London), Saturday August 28, 1954. p. 5.

ALLEGED MURDER OF MOTHER
MEDICAL EVIDENCE OF GIRLS' SANITY

Wellington (N.Z.), Aug. 27--Evidence was continued in the fifth day of the trial of the two girls, Pauline Yvonne Parker and Juliet Marion Hulme, who are charged with the murder of Parker's mother. The Crown called three medical witnesses in rebuttal of the expert evidence of the defence.
Dr. Kenneth Robert Stallworthy, senior medical advisor at Avondale Mental Hospital at Auckland, told the Crown prosecutor, Mr. A.W. Brown, that he had examined both girls and it was his opinion that neither had any disease of the mind. They had written down what was going to happen and had given clear accounts of what they had done. Both knew the nature and quality of their act. After the killing of Mrs. Parker both had full realization of their predicament and a very sane desire to get out of it. He did not consider either girl to be paranoic, but admitted to the presence of delusions.
Dr. James Edwin Saville, the second Crown expert, who is medical officer at Sunnyside Mental Hospital, gave evidence that in several interviews the girls tried to make out that they were insane, arguing that by the time they became 18 or 19 they would be released from a mental hospital, whereas they could not see themselves getting out of prison if found sane as early as that.
Dr. James Dewar Hunter, superintendent of Sunnyside hospital, said he would not certify the girls because he believed both to be quite sane.
Addresses of counsel are to be heard to-morrow.--from our correspondent.
The Manchester Guardian, Saturday August 28, 1954. p. 5.

ACCUSED GIRLS "BOTH SANE"
N.Z. Murder trial

Wellington, Aug. 27.--Three experts to-day told a Wellington court trying Juliet Marion Hulme (15) and Pauline Yvonne Parker (16) for the murder of Pauline's mother that both girls were sane. Yesterday two defence witnesses contended that they were and always would be insane. The first witness to-day, Dr Kenneth Stallworthy, superintendent of Auckland Mental Hospital, told the Court that Pauline had said:
"We knew we were doing wrong. We knew that we would be punished if we were caught and we did our best not to be caught. I would have been an absolute moron not to know that murder was against the law."
Dr Stallworthy said that his conclusion was that neither girl had any disease of the mind. After quoting Pauline, he said that Juliet had told him: "I knew it was wrong to murder, and I knew at the time that I was murdering somebody."
The prosecutor: Do you know of any paranoiacs who went through the various stages the girls did--lying, cheating, blackmailing, and thieving?
Dr Stallworthy: No. I have seen sane murderers show such a callousness as has been commented on in this case. In my experience, liking for games of bloodshed and violence are exceedingly common among adolescents. The type of literature in such demand to-day by adults, and embodying just these things, shows this, I think.
Is there any connection between homosexuality and paranoia?- -There is, in my opinion, no relation between active homo- sexuality and paranoia. I do not know of any practising homo- sexual who is a paranoiac. I do not consider homosexuality, which is by no means uncommon, as any indication of insanity.
Are these girls homosexual?--I think there is no doubt that the girls have been engaged in some form of physical homo- sexuality. It is usual for adolescents to outgrow that stage. There is, I think, clear evidence that Parker was sufficiently interested to let members of the opposite sex make love to her, one way or another.
Dr Stallworthy's evidence was supported by the two other medical witnesses, Mr D.D. Hunter, superintendent of Sunnyside Mental Hospital, and Mr J.E. Saville, a Sunnyside medical officer. Mr Saville told the court that he would not certify either girl insane, emphasising that he did not know of any crime committed by two insane people in combination.
Pauline and Juliet are accused of murdering Mrs Parker by hitting her with a brick enclosed in a stocking while they were walking through a Christchurch park. The evidence was ended to- day, and the court adjourned until to-morrow, the sixth day of the trial, when counsels' final addresses and the judge's summing-up will be heard. It will be the first time for many years in New Zealand that a murder trial has continued on a Saturday.--British United Press.
The Sydney Morning Herald, Saturday August 28, 1954. [sb]

Doctors' Conflict On Sanity As N.Z. Murder Trial Nears End

Christchurch, Friday [Aug. 27]--Three medical witnesses called by the prosecution in the Christchurch murder trial to-day gave evidence that the two accused girls were sane now and had been sane when Honora May (sic) Parker was battered to death.
Evidence in the case concluded in the Supreme Court to-day. The trial will resume at 9:30 a.m. to-morrow for counsel's addresses and the jury will retire, probably about the middle of the afternoon, to consider its verdict.
The public gallery was crowded to-day for the fifth day of the trial, which has held New Zealand's attention throughout the week.
The Court had been expected to adjourn until Monday, but at the conclusion of the evidence to-day, Mr. Justice Adams consulted the jurors, who said they preferred to sit to-morrow.
It will be the first Saturday sitting of a New Zealand Court in a murder trial for many years.
The accused, Pauline Yvonne Parker, 16, and Juliet Marion Hulme, 15 years and 10 months, are charged with the murder of Pauline's mother, Honora Mary Parker (known also as Mrs. Rieper), 45, at Christchurch, on June 22.
Mrs. Parker was found dead with her head battered in Cashmere Hills, a suburb of Christchurch, after going for a walk in the park with the two girls.
Two medical witnesses called for the defence had previously described the girls as insane. To-day's medical witnesses were called by the Crown.

"Clear Accounts," Says Specialist
Dr. Kenneth Robert Stallworthy, senior medical adviser to Avondale Mental Hospital, Auckland, told the Court he examined Pauline Parker at Paparua prison on July 26 and 27, and on August 19. He had also examined her twice at Mount Eden prison. He had examined Juliet Hulme at Paparua prison four times.
He did not consider that either had any disease of the mind.
The Crown prosecutor, Mr. Alan W. Brown: What were the factors that made you think the girls knew what they were doing?
Dr. Stallworthy: That they had written down what was going to happen and their clear accounts of what they had done.
Dr. Stallworthy said they knew the nature and quality of their act. They both knew at the time that their action was wrong, and that they were breaking the law.
He read an entry from Pauline Parker's diary dated April 29, which said: "I have made no definite plans yet as the last fate I wish to meet is one in Borstal." He said that was a very clear indication of her awareness that she was running the risk of such punishment.
He said Pauline Parker had told him at their last interview: "We knew that what we were doing was wrong; we knew we would be punished if we were caught, and we did our best not to be caught."
At the second interview with Juliet Hulme she had told him: "I knew it was wrong to murder and I knew at the time that I was murdering somebody. I would have to be an absolute moron not to know murder was against the law."
He had no doubt that they knew the nature and quality of their act and that it was against the law and the moral code.
Mr. Brown: Do you consider they, or one of them, insane when they killed Mrs. Parker?
Dr. Stallworthy: I do not. They were carefully weighing in their minds the prospects of concealing the crime.
He said both girls had told him they had at least an even chance of escaping detection.
The girls wanted to be found insane because if convicted they could regain their liberty earlier.
He had dealt with dozens of paranoiacs and their behaviour was entirely different from that displayed by the girls.
A primary requisite for paranoia was the presence of delusions. He did not admit to delusions with these girls.

"Commonly A Conceited Age"
Dr. Stallworthy continued: "The presence of conceit does not constitute a delusion of grandeur. I have seen on many occasions criminals with conceit who felt justified in breaking the law.
"Adolescence is commonly a conceited age. Often in the diaries of adolescents are to be found the most conceited opinions without the adolescent's having a firm belief in what has been written."
He said the girls had some justification for conceit. Juliet Hulme in interviews had displayed the vocabulary and shrewdness in answering difficult questions of a highly intelligent person of much greater age. Pauline Parker was considerably above average intelligence.

"Thrill" Of Shoplifting
Dr. Stallworthy said there was no relationship between expressed homosexuality and paranoia. Homosexuality in this case was not repressive. There was no doubt the girls had been engaged in some form of physical sexual activity with each other.
But the girls dreamt of members of the opposite sex and always pretended they were making love to members of the opposite sex.
For those reasons he felt homosexuality in the situation had been rather overstressed.
There was evidence of Pauline Parker's interest in the other sex. The fact that she wrote of having received no satisfaction with her intercourse with Nicholas was no indication of homosexuality.
There was no relation between their shoplifting and insanity. The girls had shoplifted because of the fun of it and the thrill of it. They were not devoid of moral sense.
The fact that they were pleased with themselves was not exaltation in the sense that a psychiatrist would use the word.

"Apparently Lucid Thinking"
The theme of bloodshed and violence in the evidence was in no way abnormal or evidence of insanity.
Dr. James Edwin Saville, medical officer at Sunnyside Mental Hospital, gave evidence that he had examined the girls separately on five occasions.
At the first two examinations the girls were inclined to make out that they were insane, but at the last three interviews they wished to be regarded as sane.
Dr. Saville said: "Juliet told me--I think it was on the third occasion--that if they were found insane they would probably be out of the mental hospital by the time they were 18 or 19. They could not see themselves getting out of prison as early as that if they were found sane and convicted."
He said he was satisfied they understood the nature of their act. They knew it was wrong in law and wrong morally.
He would not certify them as insane.
They were sane now and they had been sane when they killed Mrs. Parker.
Dr. James Dewar Hunter, superintendent of Sunnyside Mental Hospital, said he examined the girls on five occasions. In his considered opinion they were sane when they killed Mrs. Parker and sane now.

Nicholas "Not A Real Friend"
Earlier yesterday Dr. Francis Oswald Bennett, medical witness for the defence, continued his evidence under cross-examination by Mr. Brown.
Mr. Brown: Might these girls not have found some foundation to think that they were approaching genius?
Dr. Bennett: I must reject that.
Why do you say they had no friends of their own age?--It depends on what they meant by friends.
What about Nicholas?--He was not a real friend.
You say they believed in survival after death; is that an insane belief?--No.
Was removing Mrs. Parker a delusion?--Part of a delusion.
She was a threat to their remaining together?--Yes.
There was no delusion about that?--No.
Dr. Bennett said the girls showed no contrition or remorse whatsoever.

"Desperate" At Separation
Mr. Brown then read a sentence from Pauline Parker's diary, dated June 17. It was: "We didn't misbehave last night."
He asked Dr. Bennett if the girls had not told him they meant by that extract that they did not raid the pantry, and whether he believed that.
Dr. Bennett: Yes.
Mr. Brown: You said they always spelt the word "murder" as "moider," they often did that with funny words?
Dr. Bennett: They just altered them round for whim or fancy.
Is it not a common spelling in many American crime books?--I did not know that.
Mr. Brown asked which was the dominant personality and had the stronger mind. Mr. Brown suggested Juliet Hulme.
Dr. Bennett: I am not very sure, and I doubt if it would ever be decided.
At the conclusion of evidence the Court adjourned to the Judge's chambers for legal argument, and then adjourned until 9:30 a.m. to-morrow.--A.A.P.-Reuter.

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