MURDER CHARGE

Hokitika Guardian, 3 August 1927, Page 3

MURDER CHARGE

(My Telegraph—Per Press Association.) PALMERSTON X.. Aug. 3. Mefore i 1 is Honour Justice Reed and a jury of twelve the trial commenced in the Supreme Court this morning ot l)eva Kala, .'!!j years old, a Hindoo, charged with the murder on June Ith of AVilliam John liarrett. barman at the Commercial Hotel. The i>risonei pleaded no.t guilty. Such was the interest in the trial that the body of the Court was crowd-

in the dock the prisoner appeared well dressed and perfectly calm, his keen black eyes missing no detail of the proceedings. He is of litti'e more than average height and well proportioned. Although he possesses a fair knowledge of English the proceedings throughout were interpreted for him.

The case is expected to last all day

Out lining the case to the jury the Town Prosecutor stressed the fact

that accused on being questioned after the incident had admitted he killed liarrett. Any defence that could now be raised could only have the effect of reducing the charge to one ot manslaughter hut on the facts that could he brought forward counsel submitted that the jury would have no hesitation in bringing in a verdict of guilty of murder.

Hugh Pnxcou Perry, licensee of the Commercial' Hotel. Pahiatua, gave evidence that as far as lie knew all his employees had been on good terms with

each other. Thomas Davidson (kitchonmaii at the Commercial Hotel) gave evidence that at about one o’clock on June -lib lie bad been in the scullery washing plates. Barrett passing through on the way to the kitchen had exchanged greetings with witness. Ten minutes later witness heard a groan come from the direction whence Barrett had gone. Proceeding into the kitchen witness passed accused coming out, the latter making no remark. He had then seen Barrett lying on the floor in a pool of blood with a gash in the back of the neck. He had not heard anything in the way of discussion between accused mid deceased. Subsequently be met accused and asked him; “Did you do that. Bill,” accused replying, “ I kill him.” The only other thing he said was: “The chickens are in the oven Tom,” referring to the dinner being prepared for that night.

Constance Tester (housemaid at the hotel') stated while she was in the pantry that led to the kitchen she heard a gurgling noise and then a chair fall. After hesitating a moment she went to the pnntr.v door and looking into the kitchen saw Barrett lying on the floor and accused washing away. No one else had been in tbe kithcen. Ruby James (waitress at the hotel) deposed that at lunch she had given Barrett a cup of tea. Accused was quite near and was cutting bread. Witness went out to attend an order from the dining room and a minute or two later heard a terrible noise come from the kitchen. Hurrying there she saw Barrett on the floor and Davidson trying to lilt him up. Deceased’s chair was over-turned. Kalu was not then in the kitchen, but on going through the kitchen she saw him at the front door dressed in his best clothes, a navy blue suit. His kitchen dress included a white coat and apron. She asked what had happened and he replio: “Me don’t know.” He had then gone into the kitchen with the inanagress. Myra Davidson, waitress, stated, while working in the dining room she heard groans coining from the kitchen and proceeding there she saw Barrett lying on the floor in a pool of blood. Enter at the front door she had asked Kala what had happened. He made no reply. AVih'iaiii Saunders Kentledge, day porter, stated he had been working In a shed outside at the time of the tragedv and was called into the kitchen by Aliss Davidson. Witness bad seen deceased lying on the floor. Kala was not thereat the time, and subsequently lie heard accused in reply to a question by the mnnagress state: “ I kill him.” On the arrival of the police, who had asked where the instrument was that he used, accused replied, “in the sink.”

Frances Jago. manageress of the hotel at the time of the tragedy, deposed that on asking Kala what happened he replied: “I kill him.’’ Accused then went into the dining room with her and remained there until the arrival of the police. To Counsel : On the Friday preceding the tragedy. Kala hatl given notice. supplying no reason why he had wanted to leave at the beginning of the next week. Accused was a popular man of a quiet superior class and always he was inoffensive. The Court at this stage adjourned for luncheon.