Murder Trial.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 July 1922, Page 1

Murder Trial.

OF CHINAMAN, CIIOY FOY. [bt telegraph—per press association] WANFANUI, July 20. Louis Toldy appeared at the police court, this morning, charged with the murder of the Chinaman, Chow Yat o. May 31st at Gordon Park about 3 mile? from town. Mr Marshall for tlie prose cution outlined tlie facts of the case stating apparently the body was left some time on the roadside after tin murder. Later on in the night it wa removed to where it was discovered by a young lady on the way home. The points relied on by tlie prosecution were that accused knew deceased; that he was seen in the locality on the evening of tlie murder and when approaching the whare where the Chinaman lived, the accused was endeavourinn to avoid recognition. When seen lie was carrying a fawn coat on his arm. A search had since been made for the coat, and accused said he never had a coat of the description. It was also known the Chinaman had r half sovereign, which he cherished, and a half sovereign was discovered in tlie possession of accused. The statements of accused to the police, had varied considerably. The theory was that accused left the body after the murder about 6 p.nr. and then returned home, mid later revisited the scene of the murder to complete the robbery and removal of the body one thousand yards along the road, where it was discovered. The prosecution suggested that the object of removing the body was to throw it over the fence into the hush, and that the murderer was probably interrupted. Detective Cameron read a statement made bv accused, m which lie stated lie was lxirn in Hungary, in 1807 .atm find been in Wanganui 19 years. On the afternoon of tlie tragedy, lie left his whare at Wanganui East at 1.30 dressed in his best clothes, .md carryiu .< a. grey tweed overcoat. He walked along the mud to Okoia, passing Gordon Park Road where it junctions with the road to Okoia. About 2.30 lie turned back, slowly retracing his steps home, which he reached after 5 o’clock. He lit a- fire, cooked his tea, and went out to the train lino at 0.30. Then he returned to the whare. and lay in bed smoking and reading. He heard the B.LI train conic past, and got up and spoke to the train inspector. He went hack to the wba.ro at 9, and did not go out again at night. He stopped home washing and mending all next dav. He had worked at the murdered' Chinaman’s garden, where lie lived alone for n week about three months ago, and while there slept m the same house with the ( liinaninii. mi old man. who was in charge of the garden. There were eight or nine Maoris working in the garden and sleeping m y'“ house while the accused was there. He had not at any time during the last six months worn an overcoat other than a grey tweed overcoat, and the oilskin coat which he had at present in his whare. He knew how to use a revolver. Ho had used one in Hungary hunting wild pigs. He ne'er h.u ot fired one, in New Zealand.