Morriss murder hearing put off a month

The woman charged with murdering Marton pensioner Mona Morriss was further remanded in custody after a pre-depositions hearing this morning.

The 42-year-old Palmerston North woman, whose name is suppressed, was excused from appearing in Marton District Court today.

Mrs Morriss, 83, was stabbed to death at her flat on January 3 last year and found two days later by a family member.

The accused was arrested in July after a 19-month murder investigation which at one point involved 160 suspects.

Mrs Morris, who died from multiple stab wounds, had 10 children and 37 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Born in Palmerston North, Mrs Morriss had lived in Marton for 45 years and had lived on her own for 26 years since her husband died of prostate cancer.

The accused was remanded for a second pre-depositions hearing on October 5.

- NZPA