Murder at Monkerai

Frank Rudkin was married to Jessie, a woman some 20 years his junior. In July of 1921, Jessie and the children were living in Stratford, while Frank had obtained work at Monkerai, camping there in a hut.¹

On the morning of 5 July 1921, a neighbour’s son, Ray Galvin, found Frank’s body lying in a pool of blood inside his hut.  It was clear that Frank had been murdered, killed by a bullet wound to the head.²

Suspicion soon fell on Jessie’s lover, Charles Griffin, a convicted petty criminal. He had been summoned for assault by Frank and was no doubt keen to avoid a further court appearance.³

At first protesting his innocence, Griffin later admitted killing Frank, but maintained that it was in self defence and alleged that, provided he was paid, Frank had no objection to the extra marital relationship.⁴

Jessie said that her husband had treated her cruelly and left her unsupported financially.⁵

At his trial for the murder of Frank Rudkin, the jury was persuaded by the defence argument of self defence. Griffin was convicted of the lesser charge of manslaughter and sentenced to two years imprisonment.⁶

Jessie remarried two years later (but not to Charles Griffin).⁷

Author: Penny Teerman