FATAL STABBING CASE.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 959, 23 July 1877, Page 2

FATAL STABBING CASE.

Some little commotion was caused yesterday in town when it became known that a man had been stabbed in Christchurch on Saturday night, resulting afterwards in deatli at the Hospital. Considerable difficulty was experienced in obtaining information, as suspicions were directed to so many quarters that until it was thought the “ arrests ” were made, the information generally gained from certain quarters was dubiously given, and would have been useless for ' our purpose. Independent measures were at once taken, and the following are the particulars. Shortly before twelve o’clock Constable Rouse, who was on the High street beat, observed a man staggering near Barrett’s Hotel, carrying something in his hand. On walking towards him he recognised the man to be Thomas Powell, who was a mounted constable in the Christchurch police about twelve months ago. Powell, who seemed to be under the influence of liquor, told the constable he had been stabbed, and as appearances were very much against him, he was told to “go home, like a good fellow.” He then fainted, and the weapon dropped from his hands. The constable at once saw there was something unusual; that there seemed to be something like blood issuing from his left side, and the thing he was carrying also bore a stain of blood for some distance from the point. In a little while a cab was procured, and the man was convolved to the Hospital. But little time had elapsed before Mr Inspector Feast had become aware of the case, and having called his subordinates—very disagreeable night that it was —spent it in hunting up the matter. So many reports had been made as to the act having been committed in a house of ill-fame (some said in Colombo street, others in Lyttelton street), that a great deal of time was wasted, which could not be prevented, as the injured man would not be drawn out of his reticence. One or two persons were asked during the day to step up to the Detective office, but no arrests were made until late. In the interim Mr Inspector Feast had at short intervals waited on the injured man, but his belief of recovery and intermittent pains prevented any information being received. Shortly before nine o’clock Powell died, but sufficient particulars, taken at the time, had been obtained by the Inspector to give him a clue to the work in hand. How we learn that during the evening of Saturday Powell, who for tire last four months has been working at the Belfast Meat Factory, and came to town on that morning, met a woman named Elizabeth Lynch, in Colombo street, and asked her to go over to the Victoria Hotel and take a drink. This she did, and afterwards they went to the Holden Fleece, subsequently going to where the woman resided, next to Burlington House in St Asaph street. The woman, it seems, though not married, was living with Carl Kedhe, the man arrested. It was since learnt that before going to the house they went into Barrett’s Hotel, where Kedhe was playing a game of cards. Seeing them going in the direction of his place he followed, turned Powell out of his place, and then locked the woman in the bedroom. Powell went away,and returned twice. Kedhe went up to the public-house and l ook his first drink that evening—viz, a rum hot. On returning lie found the man and woman in the bedroom, the former evidently let in by the window, and after Powell had gone outside Kedhe rushed into a room, took his turner’s tool (a most murderous looking weapon in appearance, being about 20in in length, about 2in flat width in steel from the Sin. handle, and the edge filed down to a bevelled point), went to the front door, and, by his own confession, struck it into the man, the weight alone he says forcing it into the depth it went. Powell grasped the weapon, and Kedhe let it go, the former leaving at once. About eight o’clock last night Kedhe and the woman were arrested and brought to the depot. Kedhe, who is a German, lias been a contractor in Christchurch, and is now erecting a new hotel for Mr Garland, near the new railway station. He made the confession as already appearing, after his arrest, to Inspector least, in the presence of Detective Walker. The accused were in bed when arrested. The deceased was a young man about thirty years of age, powerfully built, and had been in the 2nd Life Guards. He wag slabbed

under the lower rib of the loft side, the 1 wound extending as far as the lower portion of the abdomen. Both of the accused had been living for some time as man and wife. THE INQUEST. The inquest was held at tlxe Hospital at 2 p.m. to-day before J. W. S. Coward, Esq., and the following jury, viz. Messrs Robert Allan, R. Sutherland, H. E. Alport, E. J. T. Ford, W. H. Gun dry, Thos. J. Maling, W. J. Fisher, John Cameron, John Aiken, John Ponsford, W. Digby, Reese, John Young, A. Moore. Mr Maling was chosen foreman of the jury. The accused, Elizabeth Lynch and Carl Kehde, were present in custody. The Coroner said that the jury had been called together to decide upon the cause of death of oxxe Thomas Powell, who had been stabbed on Saturday evening. Their first duty would be to view the body, after which the evidence would be laid before them. The jury having viewed the body, Inspector Feast said that there were now befox’e the Court two persons in custody charged with the murder of the deceased. He might say that one of the accused had volunteered a statement to him as to the cause of death. He might say that the police had not had time enough to get all the evidence together, and he would ask for an adjournment. The Coroner said that he would first hear the evidence, and would then decide as to whether the adjournment should be made or xxot. It would bo very hard on the jury to take them away from their business again for another day. The following evidence was then taken. William Rouse deposed—l am a constable in the police force stationed in Christchurch. About twenty minutes to twelve on Saturday night, the 21st hist., the deceased came up to the opposite Barrett’s Hotel corner of High and St. Asaph streets. He was carrying a large weapon in his hands at the time, and said he had been stabbed with it. I produce the weapon (a. lai’ge turner’s tool was produced by the witness). He gave me the weapon, and I examined him and found a lai’ge wound on the left side. I at once sent for a cab and conveyed him to the Hospital. He was staggering when he came up to me, and fell down at my feet. I brought the deceased to the Hospital, where lie was attended by the surgeons. I asked deceased who stabbed him and whei’e it occui’red, but I could not get anything from him. He said that he did not want to be spoken to; he was so weak and faint from tlxe wound. He said he did not wish to be talked to at all. He wanted to be left alone.

By Inspector Feast—The deceased appeared to be suffering from the wound. He appeared at first to me to be drunk. I smelt that he had been drinking. Ido not know whether lie had been taking spirits or beer. Henry Barrett —I am a bricklayer in Christchurch. I have seen the body of Powell to-day. I saw him last alive about half-past eight on Saturday evening in the parlour of the Victoria Hotel. He was in company with the woman now in the Court, Elizabeth Lynch. They were both sitting in the parlour when I went in with drink on the table in front of them. While I was there Elizabeth Lynch got up as if to go and said, “ I’ll bid you good night.” Powell asked her to stop and have another drink. She said she would have no more brandy, but would have a glass of sherry. The drinks were brought in and no more conversation passed between the woman and deceased. I said to deceased, “Well I’ll leave you and go to the Gaiety; you will find me there. I then left him and the woman, and never saw the deceased alive again. I identify the clothes produced as resembling those worn by deceased at the time I saw him.

By the Jury—l have known Powell casually for many years. I knew him in Dunedin, and also on the West Coast, where we were together. We came oyer to Canterbury together. The deceased and the woman were quite sober when I saw them in the hotel, No conversation passed between the woman and myself. I believe the deceased was a soldier prior to his joining the police force here. By the Coroner —Elizabeth Lynch said to deceased when the barman brought the drinks in, that the barman knew her husband. She said, nodding her head towards the retiring barman, “ He knows my husband.” Sarah Albury —I am barmaid at Barrett’s Hotel. I recollect on Saturday evening last, about 10.30, the woman now in Court came in and asked for brandy and water. I gave her the brandy. She was not in company with any one when she first came in. After I had stood speaking to her for a few minutes the deceased came in. They were talking together for some time, and had drinks together. I never saw the male accused in the hotel that night. Deceased and Elizabeth Lynch remained in the house about a quarter of an hour, and they went away together. About a quarter past eleven I saw deceased again outside the hotel. I saw him picked up and put into the cab. I heard knocking at the door, and some one said that there was a man dying, I opened my window, and the policeman told me to come down and open the door. The constable now in Conrt is the one. My bedroom overlooks the street. I got up and opened the door ; the policeman said that it did not matter, as there Avas a cab there, and he would take the man away to the Hospital, The man was either fainting or dying. He Avas put in the cab and taken away. I believe the clothes now produced are those worn by the man I saw put into the cab. The deceased was very nearly drunk when he left the hotel. He had been drinking. The deceased and the wunan now in Court seemed to be on friendly terms. The deceased appeared in good health.

Sarah Fawcett—l am a widow residing in St Asaph street. 1 know the two accused persons now in Court. They live next door to me. I was at home about eleven o’clock on Saturday night last. I saw Elizabeth Lynch and deceased come past my place and ooing home together. They stopped opposite my window. They were talking very loud, and she was dragging him towards the house, and he did not seem to care to go. She had got hold of his coat, and kept begging him to go into the house. Tiiey were both the worse for liquor. They went into the house out of my sight. They were either in the house or in the garden in front of the house, lu a few minutes the accused, Carl Ivchdc, came home. I heard him talking loud, as if there was quarrelling. The whole three were talking, and I heard the deceased say “I didn’t intend any harm.” This was ill I heard. In a little time the woman was put out at the back, and she was screaming md crying for a long time to be let in. After little while Kchde opened the door and let her in. I knew it was him who opened the door &r her. I fancy the deceased was still

in the house at this time, as I could hear him and Kehdc talking before lie let the woman in. I could hear her speaking very loud and crying and making a noise. A little whileelapsed and then the door was opened in the front and they all rushed out and seemed to be quarrelling. The woman said “ Oh, don’t Charley,” or something like Charley. A few minutes afterwards, the deceased was coming out with something in his hand. The woman got hold of liis arm, and wanted him to give it to her. She was pulling at him, and saying “ Give it to me,” but deceased said “Oh no, I shall give it to the police.” The something was like a carving knife. I think it was the tool produced, as the moon shone on the steel. One of my boarders was coming down the street at the time, and the deceased rushed after him with the tool in his hand. The man never stopped to speak to him, but came straight in. The deceased followed the man half-way round the house, and then went away to ward’s Barrett’s. I did not speak to the deceased, as I was afraid of him. The last I saw of the deceased was when he was going to the hotel, the weapon in his hand. The deceased did not appear to want to go into the house, but the woman kept pulling him and saying “ Come, come.” She was drunk at the time, and could hardly stand. The deceased looked as if he was drunk also, as he could hardly stand. Kehde appeared to be sober, as he walked very steady when he went past the house.

By the Foreman : The clothes produced are the same I believe as those worn by deceased at the time. It was bright moonlight; almost as bright as day. By the Jury —I never heard deceased .call call out. I heard the scuflie in the garden and heard the woman cxy out “Oh don’t,” as if there was going to be a fight. The accused. Lynch, said that when the deceased came to the house she told him not to go in as he would only get her into trouble with her husband. Mrs Fawcett had made a mistake when she said that she wished deceased to go into the house. The Coroner to Carl Kehde —Do you wish to give any evidence in this case P Rohde —No, sir, not until I have consulted my legal adviser. The Coroner to Elizabeth Lynch—Do you wish to say anything in this case ? Elizabeth Lynch—Yes, six’, I should like to say a few words. The Coroner—Well you must recollect that whatever you do say will be taken down, and may be used against you. Elizabeth Lynch, sworn —I live with Carl Kehde as his wife. We are not mai’ried. I saw the deceased in the Victoria Hotel on Saturday night. He asked me if I belonged to the colonies, and I said “ no,” that I belonged to Lancashire. Barrett then came in and seemed to know deceased. They had a glass of beer together. I was getting up to go when the deceased asked me to take another glass of brandy. I declined to take bi’audy, and he then said “ have something,” and I Ixad a glass of shex’i’y. When I came out of the hotel he wanted to walk down with me towards Morrison’s, the butcher, where I was going. I said “No, I am married, it will not do for you to be seen with me.” When I left'Morrison’s, deceased was outside the door. He walked with me down the street. I told him by the Bank of New Zealand that he must certainly leave me there. He said he would if I would take another glass of wine with him. I went with hixn into the Scotch Stores, and had brandy there —I then came out, and seemed quite stupid ; I have vei'y little recollection of going into Barrett’s. I remember meeting Mr Kehde in St. Asaph street before he came to Mrs Fawcett’s. Deceased was with me at the time. I said to the deceased “ Here’s my husband,” but he didxx’t seem inclined to go away. Mr Kehde unlocked the door of the house, pushed me in, locked it, and went away. I heard some one in the garden, and I opened the bedroom window which is on the ground lloor, and with that the deceased pushed his arm in through the window, and came in through it. He was in the house when Mr Kehde came back, and ordered deceased out of the house. Deceased went outside the garden gate, Mr Kehde having put him out. Mr Kehde then went to the bottom of the street to try and find a policeman. Deceased was still there when Mr Kehde came back. He was just outside the door. Mr Kehde went to push deceasud out, and Mr Kehde fell on to his knees. I then saw tlxe weapon produced in deceased’s hand, and I asked him to give it to me. Kehde had some tools on the table which he had been cleaning, and 1 could not swear that I saw the tool produced in Kehde’s hand. I saw it put in deceased’s hand and tried to get it from him. I knew whose it was. The deceased had the tool in his hand. We neither of us knew that the deceased was hurt. He did not say anything that I heard. Deceased refused to give the weapon up to me; he pushed me away when I asked him for it. He said he would keep it, or something to that effect. I xxever saw the man after that.

By Inspector Eeast— I Avent into a fruitshop Avitli the deceased. On our Avay to the Scotch Stores deceased bought a shillingsworth of oranges, I remember speaking to the barmaid at Barrett’s; now that 1 think of it I do not remember speaking to any one that I wanted to get rid of the deceased. The tools were lying on the table in the kitchen I think. The deceased went out of the front door. I will swear that I did not see the tool in Kehde’s hand. I saw it first in deceased’s hand. I was drunk, and that accounts for my not knowing much about it. I remember Mr Kehde saying—“l wonder if I hurt him.” This was at the time I saw the tool in the hands of deceased. I saw Kehde run and full and then say —“1 Avonder if I have hurt him. 1 then saw the weapon in deceased’s hand. It was not at my Avish that deceased accompanied me through the town. L told him twice to go away. It Avas not my wish that he Avent to the house from Barrett’s Hotel. After the row I got sobered a bit but 1 do not remember much about before that. I think 1 was going to get out of the windoAv after Mr Kehde had fastened me in. Deceased held the window up and I got partly out; I then Avent back again and deceased came into the room. Deceased insisted on going home Avith me and I said, “No you cannot, lam a married Avoman.” I did not object to drinking with deceased. I asked Kehde on Sunday Avhat he did Avith the tools, and lie said ho had them out to clean.

liy the Coroner —Kchde kept saying two or t hree times yesterday that he would like to know if he had hurt the man, because he said he should be very sorry, as it was not intended. Ivehde must have known that he had this tool in his hand, lie told me that when he fell he had the t 00l in his hand. Deceased was near Kehde when he fell. Deceased was about four feet from Kehde, who fell foward towards

fclie deceased. When Kehde fell deceased said “ oh ” or “that willjdo,” orjsomething to that effect. He then said he would keep the tool | and would not give it to me. By the Jury : Kehde and deceased did not come to blows. There was a sort of scuffie, but nothing more. Kehde tried to put deceased off. Inspector Feast now applied for an adjournment. After the evidence of the last witness, it was important that the police should have the case properly put before the jury. The Coroner said that he would hear the medical evidence. [The case was still proceeding when we went to press.]