ALLEGED MURDER

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 54, 1 September 1926, Page 15

ALLEGED MURDER

ACCUSED COMMITTED FOR TRIAL

FOUB ACCOUNTS OF FATALITY.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

TIMARU, 31st August.

In a charge against Owen Joseph Francis M'Kee, for alleged murder of Dual Earle England, of Makihiki, on 29th July, evidence for the accused was to the effect that the shooting was accidental, the gun having' gone off when the accused was endeavouring to extract a cartridge from it.

Thecvidenco by Dr. Wylie, who attended the injured man, was to the effect that the accident could not have happened as the accused said, as a wound of the kind suffered by deceased could not have been made if the gun had exploded in a position described by accused. Moreover, it was shown that the trigger springs on the gun were strong and in good order, aiid would not release tho trigger except by a pull. One witness said the deceased told him that on the day prior to the fatality he and accused had an argument concerning the "Maoriland Worker" and wages due to deceased for gorse grubbing. The accused expressed dissatisfaction with deceased's work. The latter said he would leave, but demanded a week's wages in lieu of notice. It was also stated he had given the accused a black eye.

On the way to the hospital, when in the ambulance, the accused offered the injured man i£2, but the latter refused it.

The Magistrate, in. committing the accused for trial, said he felt justified in this course because the accused had given three false accounts of how the fatality occurred, and his fourth account soenied only partly true.

Bail was refused.