ALLEGED MURDER.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16257, 6 July 1918, Page 2

ALLEGED MURDER.

THOMSON COMMITTED FOB TRIAL.

I At the Magistrate's Corrt yesterday James Charles Thomson (Mr Alpers) appeared on remiuid before Messrs H. Langford and S. Bullock, J.P.'s, charged with the murder of Thomas Edward Bruce. Dr. Pearson, pathologist at the Christchurch Hospital, said Bruce's death was caused by haemorrhage due to fracture of the skull, the injuries being consistent with a fall on a hard substance, such as a footpath. Arthur Andrew Seymour said ho saw deceased struck and fall, his head striking the pavement. The accused was the man who struck the deceased. Deceased put his hand up after the first blow as if to say he wanted no more. "Witness saw chree blows struck. After striking them, accused went into the j hotel. i

Annie Moody said accused looked like tho man who struck the blow, but she could not swear to it.

Noil McDonald said he thought four blows were struck. The first two were not very hard. After the last blow, Bruce fell, his head striking the kerbing. Bruce put his hand up, but never struck a blow. In witness's opinion, Bruce was under the influence of liquor. Witness thought accused was the man who struck the blow.

William Atkinson, a newspaper runner, said he thought accused struck the blow. He considered that the blow delivered was a knock-out one.

Constable Swan gave evidence as to finding Bruce lying unconscious, on the floor of the hotel.

Plain-clothes Constable Lambert ga ve evidence as to the arrest of accused, on lines similar to that given at tho inquest. Accusc.d, who reserved his defence, was committed to the Supremo Court for trial, bail being allowed in one surety of £200.