Mangamahu Tragedy.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 July 1921, Page 3

Mangamahu Tragedy.

GORDON KILLED AT OWN REQUEST/

[b\ TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION]

WANGANUI, July 23. In connection with the tragedy 'at Mnngamahu last (Friday) night, resulting in the arrest of Jack Kinsella, aged 36, who Ihas been charged with murdering his mate, George Gordon, aged 60,- the tragedy has peculiar features.

It occurred in a wlinre whereat lvinsella had arrived on Thursday, bringing two amid a half bottles of whisky. Yesterday morning, according to Kinsclla, Gordon produced a curved butcher's knife, and requested Kinsella to cut his (Gordon’s) throat with it. Kinsella states he took the back of the knife, and drew it across Gordon’s throat. Gordon then felt Ids throat with his hand, and said : “Well, you have made a- had job of it I” Later in the day, Kinsella went to the Mnngamahu Hotel, and procured iwo bottles of whisky, lie then invited the mailman, named Gibson, to join in drinking the liquor at the whare. In the evening, when Gibson was attending to the lire, Gordon stretched himself down on the floor, unbuttoned bis singlet. folded his arms on his chest, and then asked Kinsella to cut his head off. The latter then went to the wood heap, and procured a heavy axe, and lie practically severed Gordon’s head from the hodv.

The licensed explained to the police that he got a great fright when he saw the blood spurt. Gibson (the mailman) while the tragedy was being enacted, was attending to the lire, being only a few ieet away. He looked round when lie hoard the smack. Beyond this, Gibson con Id n t giro further information, except that the two men were males, and were perfectly friendly, and they had no quarrel of any description. On the way to Wanganui, the accused remarked to the police: “Poor George! We were mates together; and L won t be aide to go to his funeral!" Kinsella evidently had been drinking freely lately. His relatives reside in Wellington.

The deceased was a labourer, and was well known in Wanganui.

The accused was before flic Court this morning, lie appeared to be unconcerned. Apparently he did not realise th(> enormity of the ofleuco. Ho was remanded for a wok.

A CALLOUS AFFAIR. WANGANUI, July 23

Further particulars of Thursday night’s tragedy show, Kiintella and Gordon had been drinking heavily. The former, when airrcstted, said that Gordon lay down in the whare and asked him to cut his (Gordon's:) - head off. Kinsella said lie got a l ' and struck Gordon with it. There was evidence of two blows having been struck- on tbe back and on the front of the neck, the blade on each occasion penernting the spinal column.

Dr Anderson, who accompanied the police, said that death was instantaneous. ,

Kinsella, when formally charged with wilful 'murder,, laughed and .said: “Righto; I done it.”