KEY POINTS:
The man who found the body of Marton pensioner Mona Morriss had a premonition something was badly wrong the day he visited her flat, the High Court heard yesterday.
Bryce Meade, 83-year-old Mona Morriss' son-in-law, went to see the woman he called "Mum" early on January 5, 2005. He found the backdoor locked when it was usually unlocked, and the curtains drawn.
Mr Meade then called his wife Glenys, who said he should use his key to let himself in.
"For some reason I had a premonition that something was wrong and I can remember thinking I hope that all it is is that she has just passed away in her sleep," Mr Meade said. "As I opened the door I walked in carefully. I saw blankets and pillows on the floor and her feet protruding. I thought that perhaps she had fallen and grabbed the blankets to keep warm, but as I went further into the room I saw that they were completely covering her."
Tracy Goodman, 43, of Palmerston North, has pleaded not guilty to the burglary and murder of Mrs Morriss.
An emotional Mr Meade choked back tears as he told the court he could tell Mrs Morriss was dead just by looking at her, but felt her body to make sure.
"I noticed the blood and the marks on her chest and thought 'Oh my God'," Mr Meade said.
"I still thought for a start that she had fallen."
Mrs Morriss, a widow, lived alone.
The Crown alleges Goodman murdered Mrs Morriss on January 3.
The trial is scheduled to last a month.
