GUTTERIDGE MURDER

Hokitika Guardian, 22 February 1928, Page 3

GUTTERIDGE MURDER

S E NSATIO X AI, ST A T E A IE X T. (Australian A N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received this day at 11.2-5 a.m.) LONDON. Feh. 1. Alter a long conflict between opposition counsel as to ils admissibility a sciisai ions I statement alleged to have been made by Kennedy was read in Court at the resumed hearing of the charge of murder of GtiUeridge (cabled on 13th February) . In this he described accompanying Browne to Billerieay for the purpose of stealing a ear. He detailed its remove! from Lovell's garage. They drove in country h.vc ways, only turning on to the main road at Tongar. They saw a figure on the roadside flashing a lamp signal to stop. They drove on and heard a police whistle. -' I ashed Browne to stop.” 'the statement continues that the policeman arrived and stood close to the car and asked Browne where lie had been and where he was going. Browne replied- " I am going to a repair job.” The policeman asked whether the car was Browne’s. He stammered and I replied. “ It is mine.” The policeman Hashed a light on both our faces and asked if we knew the number of the ear. A\ e gave the number, whereupon lie said: “ I’ll take particulars. lie pockeLed the torch and pulled out a note-bool;. He was in the act of writing when I heard a report, followed quickly by another, and I saw the policeman stagger and fall into the hedge. I saw a large AA’ebley revolver Browne’s hand. Browne said : “ Get out quick,” and I immediately obeyed and went to the policeman, who was lying on his hack groaning. Browne said: “I’ll finish him.’ I said: “For God’s sake do not fire any more, the man is dying.” The policeman’s eyes were open. Browne, addressing him. said: “AA'hat are you looking at me like that for.” and shot him at close range in both eyes. Browne said: “Let’s get hack to the car,” and we drove to Ongar. Browne gave me the revolver and fold me to load it while he drove on. 11l .So doing I dropped an empty cartridge in the car. He drove at a great pace through many villages and them-' to Brixton where we abandoned the ear.” The statement described how Browne smashed up the doctor’s eases found in the car and distributed them in various roads, to destroy evidence ; also how Browne, with the A\ ebley revolver in his hand, threatened that Kennedy would he shot it he lelt him. saving: "You'll stay and face it out with me.” Browne did not object t.t> December when Kennedy told him lie was leaving. Kennedy added that lie was worried since the murder. He was often desperate, expecting arrest hoitrlv.