STRONVAR TRAGEDY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 306, 22 September 1919, Page 4

STRONVAR TRAGEDY

• BESIDE COMMITTED FOE TRIAL Hy l'fileirrnph.—l'reis Asuoclatlon. Mf.sterton, September 20. 11l the Magistrate's Court to-day, bofore Mr. Free, S.M., James Reside was charged with having murdered Christopher Onrr, at Stronvar, on September G. Accused appeared in tile dock with his neck bandaged,. and was accommodated with a chair. Apart from being somewhat pale, lie showed no sign of physical distress, and listened to the cridcnco with imjiarent disinterestedness. Mr. R. it. Burridgc appeared for the Crown, and Mr. 0. I'rasnell for accused. The ovidence was similar to that given at the inquest. . Constable Lelhbridgj, of Wellington, vrho liad been guarding accused at the hospital, stated that asked if witness had seen a paper containing,a r«yiorfc of the inquest, and said: "I shot tno man." Witness warned him that anything he might say would be-used in evidence against him. Accused then replied: "I do not ea.ro. I will say it to my dying (lay." Constable Penson deposed that at the hospital accused'had fiiiid to liim: ''If I had done what I intruded, I would have been well on the other side of thfe Jordan. That is I ought to haVe done, and completed the inb. I conid not rewli the trigger, at the bnrl'cl of the gun was too long. I intended '.o use a boot lace, but was 'hustled. 1 then heard you coming, a'-.d used the razor." /Accused, when charged, with murder at the hospital, made* jit. statement. After the evidence had neon taken, ac? ousod pleaded not guilty, reserved bis defot>ec, and wti? commuted ior trial at the next criminal sessions of the Supremo Court at Wellington.