TOKIRIMA MURDER TRIAL

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 35, 5 November 1920, Page 7

TOKIRIMA MURDER TRIAL

POLICE EVIDENCE'AGAINST . . ANDERSON.. By Telegraph—Press AsFociatloa Taumarunui, November 4. In tho case against W. Anderson, charged with the murdor of Frank Telfar at Tokirima in October, further evidence was taken, to-day. Detective Cooney said that while under escort to Taumarunui, accused asked him';to see; a chemist about a pa,eel of medicine Jim Loft got for liiin under an assumed name, as it was important for his defence. Accused said: "I had no intention to kill Telfer. We wcro the best of friends. He tried to unftch the rifle away, and in the strugglo it went. off; otherwise Telfer would not have been shot." Accused called attention to a sore finger with a dry scab, which lie said was done by the tngger guard. He also said he would have been satisfied to swing if lie had slot I.oft, and it would havo been a good thing for Loft's wife and family if ho had done .bo. Loft tried to do him all the lurin 'lie could, and did not want nim to draw his money. "When I was rid;ns across a bridge at a jrallop, Loft rushed out in tho dark with his hands up, and the horse threw ,me on my head,"'accused said. "If I liad got Jim Loft and the two Harlands I would have been f tisfied. The Harlands drugged me and are diugging others." 'Constable Ebbett deposed that while under escort accused said to lum: "I put the wind up Jim Loft. That cur is not fit to" live. I shot at him as lie jumped a fence, and don't know how I missed. I am a fairly good si.ot. It must have been n bad light, or the hand of Providence turned ihe bullet aside. Perhaiß'vou will'live to regret the flay I missed him. I would like to i.ave him for a few minutes,, but be won't stend up to a man." When near Taumarunui accused asked if I.oft was in Taum.minui yet and when told he was, said: How about taking the handcuffs off and letting me havo-a rillc for a while.' A choroJfit nave evidence llr.il Jon- nntl not purchased medicine from lum. Harland Brothers, contractors to the Ohura County Council, domed that they had doped or drugged accused, or quarrelled with him at any time. Accused reserved his del once nnd was committed for trial at Hamilton.