THE MURDER OF WHALL

Hokitika Guardian, 29 May 1924, Page 4

THE MURDER OF WHALL

XIUAI. OK BARNES. 11V TKl.t-SUAI’It—I’KK33 ASSN., COI'Y RIGHT. WELL!XO TOX, .May 23 IYi tin; murder charge against Punic.', Doctor (iilsen naviiu.it tile wound in deceased's groin mu LI lmvo I won causa.l by t lit* Unite I>i'oiliiceil. lie examined aeeiiseil at the police .station. and found a imiuIht cl cuts and bruises nu him about ton days old. The later injuries in (dialed an extensive bruise on the loft groin, and others on the aims. Accured complained of pains i:i the ribs, but witness could find no bruises. Cross-examined, uiiness -.aid that in all probability, had the femoral artery been missed, Whnll'x wound would not have been fatal. Accused said be had been attached by Wliail. The injuries on his Lingers (Oiihl have been caused lie a bite. The bruise on the grain was si la rue that ii could not have been cao-ed bv bis two bands, .'•-one of llio bruises might have been caused by a kirk. Accused, in bis clothes, weighed eight stone eight pounds. From the multiplicity of his injuries, it was obvious accused, on each occasion, bad received a severe handling. Dr (iiesen, who conducted the post mortem, said the wound that caused death could Imce been made with the knife produced in Court. Witness also examined accused, who had some abrasions on the face, mostly recent. There were wounds on the elbow. Accused eomp'ained of a pain in the hack. An examination (nosed accused pain. Witiie-s could find no reason for it. There was lio external sign ol injury. Witness said that if the ar-

tery had keen missed thee would him been no fainhly. The luniks on no otlscd's face could have been caused

by a blow from the list. Fred Armitage, Oovernmcat bacteriologist, at Aucklali 1. said sens A of the bloodstains could not he determined. Some stains of human hlond were found in the left pm ket of accused's pair of trousers. Out of lifteeu stains on the towel, produced, six were huma’i blood. David Nelson described the meeting cf re.imM and deceased. Witness said he went to the bearding house and a>k.-d for Dames, who accompanied witness to where Wliail and another were waiting. A conversation regardi nut Whtill’s wife look place, Barnes being accused of calling on her. when Barnes was called a liar. Asked what .Mrs Wlmil’s address was, Barnes said lie didn’t know. After further talk, Whall said he would “do for” Barnes. A tight eii'itcd. Whall had the bust of it. lie struck accused all over the body. Eventually the two -till struggling disappeared down an alley-way. which was dark. Some time after Barnes came from the kitchen, Whall went to meet him. Witness did not see what happened, hut later he saw a man assisting Whall. lie saw a blood trail to the place where Whall collapsed. Barnes bad a big knife when he came out the second time. Witness had said Barnes had no chance when Whall was hitting him, and was calling out for assistance. Another witness said he saw the big man, Whall, r,fumble and tall, and the small man. like accused, fall on liipi. Another witness said Whal refused to leave. He said ho was lighting for 1 his wife. The case was adjourned until to-1 morrow.