THE AUCKLAND MURDER

Hokitika Guardian, 24 October 1924, Page 3

THE AUCKLAND MURDER

COMMUTED FOR TRIAL.

[nv telegraph— per press association.]

AUCKLAND, October 23.

At the murder trial, the medical evidence was that Jensen had nil incised wound four inches in length, also that one corner of the mouth had been punctured, and that there was a wound in the lobe of the left ear. The knife produced could have caused these wounds. Post mortem examination showed that there was a. surgical wound four and a half inches long on the upper and inner part of the right thigh. That wound eouhl have been caused by thd knife produced. Ivan Kedes said lie was in the upstairs bar of the Aurora Hotel at 9.30. Just after Short left the bar. witness heard his name shouted. He found Short stooping, with blood rushing from his groin. Short said : •‘There he goes! Chase him!” AY it ness saw a man running downstairs, and followed him. 9 he man took refuge in the doorway where he was threatened with a beer bottle. The man ran away ami witness lost sight of him. Tie could not identify the limn, but identified the clothing ■which Shiites had on in Court. ' Chief Detective Cummings produced a statement signed by Shiites. Tho latter said: ”1 had to defend myself. AYc went to the Aurora Hotel and had a bottle of beer. I thought Short was barman, so I went to get more liquoi, I met him outside the sitting room, and an argument started. He struck me above the left eye, which staggered me. T think ho hit me with a. bottle. My kllilc was open in my hand, as I bad tried to open the bottle with it. He raised his hand, apparently to hit me again, and I threw out both hands, 'flic knife blade went into him, and wo Imth fell to the ground. Deceased said: *‘J am stabbed 1” and I got a toiiilic shock. I knew there would he trouble, so I rnn outside. I went down the street and got on top of a building. Then I climbed a fence, and remained there till nil was quiet. Then I went to a shop and telephoned for a taxi to take me to my ship.” Several other witnesses gave evidence." Magistrate Poynton said there was no conclusive evidence in support of the charge on the licensco of the City Hotel. . . This charge is lieing dismissed. Counsel entered a pica of not guilty. Accused was committed for trial.