KEY POINTS:
A harrowing account of the discovery of the body of murdered Marton pensioner Mona Morriss was given by her son-in-law at the High Court in Wanganui today.
Bryce Meade had dropped in to visit his mother-in-law at her Wellington Rd flat on the morning of January 5, 2005.
Surprised at finding the doors locked and curtains drawn during the day, Mr Meade let himself into the flat and made his way to the closed bedroom door.
"For some reason I had a premonition that something was wrong and I remember thinking I hope if anything has happened she has just passed away in her sleep," Mr Meade said.
However, walking into the bedroom he discovered a murder scene.
Mrs Morriss was lying on the floor covered in blankets and pillows with only her stocking-clad feet visible.
She had been beaten and stabbed six times in the chest.
The Crown alleges 42-year-old Palmerston North woman Tracy Jean Goodman killed Mrs Morriss in a burglary that went wrong.
Goodman has pleaded not guilty to murder and a burglary charge relating to the same incident.
The trial is expected to last up to four weeks, during which the Crown will call up to 110 witnesses.
- NZPA
