Zambukka Murder.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 March 1922, Page 3

Zambukka Murder.

TOPI ON TRIAL

BV TELEGRAPH —TOESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT.

GISBORNE, March 15.

At the Supreme Court to-day the trial was commenced of the young native Kutene Topi, on a charge of having murdered Paul Zambukka, at the Motu River on November 4. It is expected that above 50 witnesses will bo called, most of them natives and that the hearing of the case will continue till the week-end. Mr Nolan appears for the Crown and Mr Buriiard for the prisoner, who pleaded not guilty. Nolan in opening the case for the Crown mentioned that since the hearing in the Lower Court soine fresh evidence had been discovered. Sonic weeks ago natives collecting fungus found a shirt that belonged to Butene mil that he was seen wearing it before the murder. There were some dark stains upon it, and the natives put it hack in the log. Detective McLeod had gone to Opitiki to investigate. Information would be brought to show that the shirt had been’ removed by the prisoner’s mother, torn up and thrown into the creek. Detective McLeod, however, had succeeded in finding some of the shirt in the stream.

EVIDENCE OF ACCUSED’S. brother GISBORNE, March 15

Amongst the witnesses called in the Motu River murder trial this afternoon was Tuwahiawa Topi, brother of Rutene Topi, the accused. Witness was asked by the Crown if he previously had said that he heard accused say “Clean the guns and hide the ammunition.”

Counsel for accused objected. His Honour: Did you say that in the lower Court? Witness': Yes. His Honour: Was it true? Witness: I was bustled at t ■ time. I was frightened, the evidence seemed to be going against my brother. The Crown Prosecutor: Has anyone spoken to you about this matter since ? Witness Yes. His Honour: (t 0 Crown Prosecutor) I think you hod better lefawe' it at that. To counsel for the accused witness said he had not spoken to a ccused or bis counsel since the lower Court proceedings. Accused had used one of his guns on the Wednesday before the murder.

MURDER TRIAIi. GISBORNE, March 10. The Motu murder trial was resumed at the Supreme Court this morning. Maori witnesses, Peeti August Koranui, and Tekani Herini Skipper gave /evidence as to events on the day of the murder and possession of guns by accused and others. Cross examination is being directed to show the natives were/ in the habit of borrowing one another’s guns for pigeon shooting.