BODY-IN-BAG CASE

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 100, 30 April 1930, Page 11

BODY-IN-BAG CASE

VERDICT OF MANSLAUGHTER

JUDGE EXPRESSES SURPRISE

[ (Received 30th April, 8 a.m.) j , SYDNEY, This Bay. Paul Minel, charged with the murder of a camp mate at Nairabii, was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to fifteen years' imprisonment. The Judge said he was unable to understand how the jury could arrive at a verdict of manslaughter, and described Minel as a singularly callous criminal. ! At the first trial of Minel the, jury j disagreed. At an inquest at Narrabri j into the death of James Smith, or Sorenscm, whoso dismembered body was found in Narrabri Creek in November last, the police produced a statement signed by Paul Minel, aged 50, a labourer, to the effect that Smith, during a drunken quarrel in.a'hut, attempted to strike him with a brick, or stone, which Minel wrested from him, striking Smith with it. Smith fell, and appeared to go to sleep. A" short time afterward Minel saw him reach for, a rifle, and a scuffle ensued. Minel fmized the rifle, which exploded, and Smith fell. Minel later noticed that he was dead. He secured an axe and chopped the body to pieces, and placed these in bags, the head separately, and dumped them in the creek. Minel then worked about the district for some days. He had a good deal of drink. He sold Smith's motor-truck, and then took Smith 'a name , and left the district. Minel was committed for trial on a charge of murder. . !