TOKIRIMA MURDER

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 34, 4 November 1920, Page 6

TOKIRIMA MURDER

ANDERSON ON TRIAL

THE SHOOTING DESCRIBED By Telejranh—Presi Association. , Taumarunui, November 3. W. Anderson, was brought bcloro Mr. Burton, S.AI., to-day, aim charged with the murder of i'miiK Teller auu the attempted murder of James Loft, at 'l'okirima in October. Air. Gillies appeared as Crown Prosecutor, and the accused wns defended by Mr. U. P. Finlay, of Te Kuiti.

Coustame Kelly, Auckland, police photograpTier, produced photographs of iho scene of the murder.

Mr. Owen, engineer, produced plans of the house and surroundings, giving tho measurements incidental to the shooting. James Loft gave evidence that when the second shot was fired outside he recognised tho accused in the dark by the illumination of the riflo shot. When accused first raised the rifle, at tho window, ho was four feet away, and therefore it was impossible for the deceased (Teller) to grasp the rifle. The bullet which killed Telfer was a softnosed .303. There was 110 ill-feeling between witness and Accuscd went to the maid's room ono night, but wns turned down, and later accused Enid ho was in love with her. Witness saad he bad some complaint .to make, but nothing more was said. Accusod several times threatened to "do' Harland brothers in," but said he wns afraid of the rope. . Herbert Loft corroborated his brother's evidence, and also said ho was not sure if Tolfer grasped tho rifle, but did not 't'hink so. Dr. Checsemau, of Ohurn, deposed that the bullet pa6Bed through Telfer s right lung and liver. > The body was blackened at tlie point whore the bullet entered. Margaret Loft, wife of James Loft, corroborated her' husband's evidence. Winnie Hefferman, Loft's domestic servant, gavo evidence that when Anderson came he said: "All tho police in Taumarunui arc after me, but I will get plenty of them before they get me/' He was given food, tobacco, and an overcoat. Before the shooting he said.: "Two of you have to pass out to-night, but one will do." Jim Loft said: "Don't be silly," and Tolfer, who was sitting on the couch, walked over beside the window and said: "The rifle is filled up with clay, Bill." Anderson said: "That is all right." Telfer said: "Have you got the pills for it?" and Anderson said: "I have everything.." Anderson then said: "Clear the room." Witness then stepped into tho nien'6 room and did not see the rifle. Jim Loft ran into her room and that was all she saw of him. She saw Telfer put out one hand, but could not say' what 110 did. She then saw Telfer u\ll. Tho Inst she saw of Morris ho was going into the passage, and Herbert Loft hurried into the''scullery. Witness heurd a shot fired, but did not see WlO rifle go off. She heard another fired a few minutes later. About two months ago accused walked into witnesses'* Itedroom at hnlfpast four o'clock in the morning. Ho tried to awaken her. . She said: "Who's there?" He said: "Your next door neighijour." She told him to get out. and after a few moments' hesitation ho went out. Witness complained to Mrs. Loft. Lionel George Moms, engineer, of Frarikton, gave corroborative evidence as to the shooting. He was near the gun ,when it wns fired but did not see the discharge. He wns not sure whether Telfer or James Loft was killed tjll afterwards. He thought he saw someone fall. Witness rushed to the telephone in the passage. He thought lie had !»■"•« shot at himself in mistake for a ptitjfieinnn. . Alfred Georgo Loft gave evidence regarding eleven bottles of whisky which 011 October G Anderson brought to the farm,, saying 110 stole it from Ohurn. Witness got him to share the cost with him arid pay for the whisky. Witness, accused and three others cut seven bottles out in two days. . Witness deducted accused's share of the cost from his waeep and paid him ,£SB. •Hearing of the ease has been adjourned till to-day.