BURWOOD MURDER

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 22 November 1927, Page 6

BURWOOD MURDER

TRIAL OF BOAKES TWENTY-TWO WITNESSES HEARD. CHEMIST ASSISTANT’S STATEMENTS. Christchurch, Nov. 21. The trial of Charles William Boakes, a taxi driver, was continued to-day before Mr. Justice Adams, on a charge of murdering Ellen Gwendoline Scarff, on June 15, at Burwood. The evidence was the same as that tendered in the lower Court, except that of Sidney Charles King, chemist’s assistant. He said he remembered an occasion when Brown, a taxi driver, introduced him to Boakes about a year ago. He met Boakes again two or three times, but just passed the time of the day. Mr. Donnelly: Did you make a statement to Mr. Greeson in his office on November 4? Witness: Yes. Which is true, that made to Mr. Gresson or that made in the lower Court?—That made to Mr. Gressoß in his office. Mr. Donnelly then asked for and" was granted permission to treat the witness as hostile, and he proceeded to cross-examine him. Mr. Donnelly: Do you remember your lower Court evidence? Witness: Yes. The statement was altogether u*» true?—Yes. Why did you give evidence before the magistrate which you now say was false?—l was bullied into it by Detective-Sergeant Bickerdike. Witness continued that he had written out his statement in the police station on July 18 under pressure of threat from Bickerdike that he would lay a charge against witness. He had brought drugs to the police station, samples of the stuff he had alleked he supplied to Boakes, also because he was practically ordered by Bmkerdike to bring them. Mr. Donnelly: You came back to the station and said: “Here are the pills and ergot I sold to Boakes?”— Yes.

When you went to Mr: Gresson you knew your position was difficult?—Y’es.

Why did you not tell him that you had been to the police station twice? -I did. It is not in your statement, Mr. King.—l told him, but he left it out. I’m bound to put it to you that that is unlikely.—Yes, but I told him to put it in.

You stick to it that you said that to Mr. Gresson?—Yes. Witness’ statement to Mr. Gresson was read by Mr. Thomas. The effect of it was that Bickerdike had kept “at him” and he was frightened and his nerve all gone. Twenty-two witnesses were heard durin gthe day. The evidence should bo completed to-morrow.