STORY OF SHOOTING

Chronicle (Levin), 14 August 1946, Page 5

STORY OF SHOOTING

-Press Association

9 ' " ' ^ ' - Farmhand On Murder Charge EYIDENCE oFvicTIM'S WIFE

By & TbIbqtqvIi —

WHANGAREI, Aug. 14. To-day, exactly one month after Sydney John Peachiey, 24-years-old French polisher met his 4e,ath as he was st'ruck in the chest by a bullet, fired thrpugh the window of the sitting room of his home in Otaika Road, Whangarei, nis alleged assailant stood in the dock at Whangarei Court. He was Regipald Al.exander Donaldson, aged 27, a farmhand, of Otaika Vallfy, and he was charged with the murder of Peachey on July 4. The Crown prosecutor was Mr. S. Cleal, of Auckland, while Donaldson was represe'nted by Messrs. R. K. Trimmer and D. I. Ross. The court was packed, The widow of the murder ed man. Rona Freda Peaehey, aged 20, gave evidence that on April 27 last she was married to Peaehey at Whangarei, and soon afterwards took up residence in Otaika Road, sharing a house with Mr. and Mrs. G. K. Pattison. She and her husband oceupied a bedroom and sitting room, with a spare bedroom, and they shared the kitchen. At this stage the witness broke, down. On resuming, she said that' on. Sunday, July 14, she and her husband had tea and went into the sitting room at about 5.30 p.m. Peachey was sitting in a chair towards the window. The blind was up, the window being covered by two heavy curtains, which were drawn. "I heard a bang at the window," she said. "It would be just before seven o'clock. I think my husband got up to see what it was, and told me to stand back. He dr.ew the curtain. I did not hear anythiii~". My husband stood up wiih ms • hand to his chest and said some- ' thing about 'they've got me.' He | staggered back and fell on -the floor j without his glasses. My husband'." sight was not good." | Witness went on to say that she Iknew Donaldson, having first met ,him abSut three years ago at a dance at Maungakaramea. They had become friendly about 1944. ,He had joined the air force, and jthey had corresponded. The letters, which were produced. were written by her to Donaldson. >She had broken off the friendship, telling Donaldson she had finished with him. This was about two years ago. Donaldson had not spoken to her since, nor to her knowledge had he spoken to her husband. She saw Donaldson in Cameron Street, Whangarei, on the Wednesday before July 14, but they did not speak. Donaldson walked down the street and back again. Later she saw him pass in a car with his sister. The case is still proceeding.