Daughter Faces Trial for Father’s Murder a Decade After Suspicious House Fire
After more than ten years since the mysterious house fire that claimed the life of Ronald Russell Allison, his daughter has finally gone on trial for his murder. The woman, previously protected by an interim suppression order, can now be identified as Lynne Maree Martin, a 63-year-old caregiver residing in Karapiro. Justice Helen Cull lifted the suppression order at the commencement of the trial.
Ronald Russell Allison, an 88-year-old World War II veteran, esteemed farmer, and loving husband to the late Marie Allison, tragically lost his life in the suspicious house fire. Alison and his wife were married for 53 years and had two children, Lynne and John, as well as four grandchildren.
John, who lived nearby and assisted his father in running the farm, made it a routine to visit him every evening. However, on January 25, 2013, John received a distressing phone call from a volunteer firefighter friend, notifying him of the impending tragedy at his father’s house. By the time John arrived at the scene, it was too late. Russell Allison did not survive the blaze.
The police investigation, spanning over a decade, initially appealed for information regarding a blue Nissan March hatchback believed to have been driven by a middle-aged Caucasian woman spotted traveling between Tauranga and Gisborne on January 24 and 25. However, no breakthroughs occurred until November 2020 when sufficient evidence emerged, leading to the charging of Lynne Maree Martin.
The trial, taking place at the High Court in Gisborne, is expected to last for five weeks and will involve approximately 50 Crown witnesses. Jury selection proved to be lengthier than usual due to several individuals requesting to be excused, either because of their acquaintance with the witnesses or because their employers could not accommodate the extended absence.
The trial aims to shed light on the tragic events surrounding the suspicious house fire that claimed the life of Ronald Russell Allison over a decade ago. As the proceedings unfold, the justice system strives to unveil the truth behind this enduring mystery, providing closure for the victim’s family and ultimately delivering justice.
