TRIAL OF EGGERS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 126, 14 February 1918, Page 7

TRIAL OF EGGERS

ARRESTING DETECTIVES' EVIDENCE By Teleerapli-Press Association. Christchurch, February 13. Tho West Coast murder trial was continued to-day. Evidence was given by: George Roberts (an employee of Kettle Bros., storekeepers, Greymouth), Thomas Maguire (labourer), Christian .Nissan (hairdresser), Uraine Mundy (restaurant keeper), Archibald Arrol Stewart (brewer), Alexander Brown (aged ten ; , William O'Neill (aged thirteen), identifying the accused with incidents near the date of the crime. Other witnesses were: Harold William AVebb (hotelkeeper, Greymouth), Arthur Percy Butt (ironmoulder), Anton Palkenbach (manager of a motor garage at Hokitika). Their evidence was chiefly of identification. Detective Abbott detailed the arrest of the accused in Christchurch on November 15. At the police station accused was fumbling with something in his bag, which was found to lie a revolver. Detective Connolly, who was with witness, said: "You murderer, you've got a revolver! You're going to shoot us! Hold him I" Accused was then handcuffed. Subsequently they went to where accused had been staying, and in a bag found notes and coin totalling £3451 19s. 6d. Accused was acquainted with the find, but made no reply. He was then charged with the crime.

In his evidence, Detective Abbott said that on November 19 accused applied in 1 tho Magistrate's Court for permission for Mrs. M'Mahon to visit him. and was given permission, and witness made the necessary arrangements for tho visit. Chief Detective M'llveney warned Mrs. M'Mahon that anything she said in connection with tho case would he taken down, and ii necessary used. She was advised not j to say anything about tho case. At the ! interview the chief detective and witness wcro present. After a slight pause j Mrs. M'Mahon said: "Oh, AVilll Did you shoot the boy, AA'ill?" Accused replied: "I cannot say, Macksie. Thcro was someone else." Mrs. M'Mahon asked: "AA'hy can't you clear yourself?" Accused replied: "No. It's no uso.' I have no chance. They 'have got enough evidence to hang me six times." Mrs. M'Mahon said: "Don't talk to me about hanging, "Will! You know how it makes me feel." Accused said: "Yes, I know." She then asked: "AA'hatever made you bring that money to our place?" Ho replied: "I don't know. I have made two mistakes. You see tho position lam placed in. I ' cannot go anywhere and do anything. The police are dogging mo about.'' Accused then turned to witness and Connolly and said: "She knows nothing about it at all." Later Mrs. M'Mahon said: "I didn't know that you were' over there on tho coast till I got your postcard. I thought you were awav down south." To Mr. Hunter:' The cloth was partly over the pistol- and the handbag at the police station. Tho cloth was not wrapped evenly and carefully round tho pistol. He could see the butt of the automatic before.it came out of the hag. Accused was trying his best to get it out of the hag. He made no attempt to hand it out. There was one bullet in the gun ready to shoot. In the cross-examination of Chief Detective M'lllveney, Mr. Hunter asked:' Did Mrs. M'Mahon complain that she was being badgered'and bothered by the police, and cross-examined by them, and kept at the police station till 11.30 p.m.? • Detective M'llveney: "No; she appeared to be satisfied with her' treatment by the police, and said tho police had been very kind to her. I don't know if she has changed her mind since." Continuing, witness denied that anv trap had been set in connection with' tho interview between accused and Mrs: M'Mahon.- - :. Detective; M'llveney gave, corroborative evidence. . •• ■ The Court adjourned till to-morrow.