HOTEL MURDER

Gisborne Times, Volume LXI, Issue 9853, 4 November 1924, Page 5

HOTEL MURDER

— THE DEATH OF REGINALD . SHORT. SITUTES AT SUPREME COURT. AUCKLAND, Nov. 3. The trial of Benjamin Harrison Sliutes, an American seaman, on a charge that on October 10 at Auckland he did murder Reginald Louise Short, commenced at the Supreme Court before Mr Justice Herdman. On tho suggestion of the Crown prosecutor, Air Meredith, the jury inspected Aurora Hotel where the scuffle took place t

Mr McVengh appeared for Shutes. Soon after Air Meredith had opened his outline of the case there was a further adjournment for argument in chambers as to the admissibility of certain evidence ‘ regarding the action of the accused on the night of the tragedy. After outlining the case Air Meredith said but two defences could be raised. Accused could plead he committed the act when he was overmastered by his passions and worked up to such a pitch that he was not responsible for his actions, or that he had done it in self defence. Mr Meiedith -suggested that neither defence wouldf commend itself to the jury. He had endeavored to show tlm" injury was accidental. He had told the'police the knife was open for opening bottles of beer, but the jury knew that beer wnsi usually served with the tops already removed. Then he had run away instead of remaining "to see if Short were seriously injured. This was a significant fact. Then there was his admission on returning to . the ship mu! his reference to “ripping 'somebody up-” Them ho produced the knife again and assaulted, the engineer. “ In the hotel there cou.d have been no time for Shutes to nave been reasonably provoked, none or those near at hand heard anytniiig except a scuffle ,and there was no evidence to show that Shutes vas assaulted bv Slnut. The depositions of members oi tlie crew of the West Tslip, telegraphed on October 13 were read and ovi- • douce given by others as telegi aphcci on Otcoher ?3\ , The 'ense was ncijoiinied. 1 .A.