BRUTAL MURDER.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 January 1928, Page 4

BRUTAL MURDER.

INQUEST AT STEWART ISLAND (Christchurch Press). HALF MOON BAY, Jan. 11. The enquiry concerning the death of Andrew Josey, the octogenarian, of Stewart Island, who was found murdered a month ago, was held to-day before Mr Gregg, J.P., and a jury of six. Inspector Bird conducted the inquest. Mr Gordon Reed watched proceedings for the relatives. Dr Torrance ,of Bluff, who examined the body of deceased on December 14tli. said it was lying under the wreckage of a wooden bed. A batten belonging to the Iwd was grasped in the man’s hand. His right forehead was badly cut, the lower jaw was broken, and there was a ragged wound and cut on the head. The cause of death was shock and loss of blood. All the wounds could have been inflicted with the piece of wood produced.

Mrs Catherine Walshchlegger, residing at Horsheshoe Bay, said that on December 10th. Josey and Arthur Valentino asked her to put them up, and she agreed, Josey saying he would pay the board. They played cards on Tuesday cvning, but not for money. At midnight witness suggested they should go to bed and they did so. Valentine occupying a room at the front cif the house and Josey a room upstairs just over witness's room.

“HELP ME.” “About four o’clock I heard bumping noises,” said witness, “and Andrew called: ‘Mrs Walshchlegger help me, help, help, me die.’ I couldn’t help him, for I couldn’t get in.” Witness went to Valentine’s room, but he was not there. She went to Jersey's room, but the door was locked, and she could not get in. She called out: "Open the door, Andrew.” He replied: “I cannot. Valentine has the key.” Later slio called. “Arthur Valentine, are you there? Open the door,” but received no reply.

While she was at the door Josey cried out: “Arthur has robbed me ol all my money. I’ll die. I’ll die.” Witnos said to Josey: “I can’t get into the room, Andrew. I’ll go for Edwards.” She went for Edwards, and when she came back found the doors locked fast. Eventually Valentine lot her into the house. He had blood in his pyjamas and overcoat. Witness remained in the kitchen until Constable Woodley came. She told Valentine to go to bed. and he was there when the constable arrived and stayed there till the police arrived from Half Moon Bav.

IJnspl'etor Bird : Were there any strangers round Horseshoe Bay at the time ?—No. Did he make any references to Germans y—Yes. He said: Where is my bayonet ? Witness added that there was no sign of liquor on either Valentine or Josey on the Tuesday. She did not see Josey subsequently, nor did she know that he was dead until Constable Woodley arrived. A NERSES'S EVIDENCE.

Nurse Elizabeth 'Lillian Heaton, district nurse at Half Moon Bay, said that in response to a call she arrived at Mrs Wnlslielilogger’s house afoul 5.30 a.m. on December 1-lth. She went upstairs to deceased's room and found him lying in a hiinddled position under the bedding. He was quite dead and had been badly injured about the head and arms. There was a good "deal of blood about the pi aw. Rigor mortis had sol in. and he appeared to have been dead about live hours. She did not interfere in any way with the body until the doctor arrived. Alter ascer-

taining that life was extinct witness went downstairs with Constable Woodley and saw Valentine, who was sitting on the side of his bed. He complained of pains in the hack. He seemed rational but dazed and depressed ami in a highly nervous state. Tic was dressed in pyjamas, with his trousers over them, but witness could no f "see any bloodstains.

.limits Edwards, a retired seaman, living ;iL Horseshoe Bay. said that v. lii'ii lie arrived with Mrs Walshchleg-" ger. Valentino was standing in the dc>'>r\vay smoking a cigarette. ITo wadressed in pyjamas and an overcoat, wliieh Wiis covered with what, appeared to lie fresh blond. Witness asked Valentine what was the matter, and hmade no reply. KIN AN CIA I, TRANSACTIONS. Thomas I‘ragg. snirekeeper. said that Josey had lited at Stewart Island IV ah at fifty years. 11 a occasional!., took ;i job as tool; in ships, and from what witness had been told was about 7(i years < I i ye. Josey , nine to him and sp ke about at ioii'.cr;. at the llarbonr Hoard oilice. lie told wiln s.s In had got Valentine to invest £2OO in l.liitr llariamr hoard debenture:. lie said tliat \’alentine had leeeived Clo.) from him to lend to his brother, alt..oiigh on the documents lie slain cd witness the loan was i:i Arthur Valentine himself. One document was Arthur \ alen 1 ine’s a; knowlodgement of a loan of Clot) from Josey for four years at seven per cent., and due for repayment in I!i2. It also showed that Valentine had invested C2OO for Josey with the JliirliKur Hoard. • The other dociimein showed interest paid on both these amounting to £2l. Me know Valentine’s writing well, the signatures being his. Josey said he had received the £2l in July. Hearing what had happened at Bluff, Josey was afraid lie would lose his money. Witness advised him to go to Bluff and see Valentine, hilt the day he was going Valentine arrived at the Island. Valentine lunched with witness. Me appeared quite rational, and chatted all the time. One remark he made witness did not understand: " The people at the Island used to complain about me, hut they'll find they will have more to complain about soon.” STATEMENT TO POLICE.

Constable Woodley, of Half Moon Bay, said that with Sergeant Tonkinson and Detective Carroll, he went into Valentine’s room, where lie was lying in bed in his pyjamas. Me appeared to he sleeping, hut witness shook him and said: “MTiat the matter with you? ” Valentine said: "The Mermans came up early this morning, i heard Andrew call out. ' Help, help.’ I went upstairs and lie turned on me.” He became silent then, and later on asked for a drink of water.

Detective-Sergeant Carroll described his visit to the house on the day oi the murder, and the arrest of \ alentine. A search by witness resulted in il ‘2s Old being found in Josey’s pockets, and Co Ids in a cashbox in his room at Todd’s house. His Saving Bank hook showing a credit oi about £lbO. was also found, hut there was no trace of the documents referred to by .\!r Bragg in his evidence. Witness had ascertained that when Arthur Valentine sold deceased s house in Bluff he received the full amount. £3dfi in cash, and that at the time of Josev’s death, Valentine was not holding anv Bluff Harbour Board debentures for him. He had disposed of them at least twelve months previously. These debentures matured on December 31st. 192”. After a short retirement, the jury returned a verdict that Josey was murdered by \ aientine.