A MURDER CHARGE

Hokitika Guardian, 9 May 1929, Page 5

A MURDER CHARGE

INQUEST PROCEEDINGS Fl3y Telegraph—Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, May 9 An inquest as to the death of John Stevens, who died at the Police Station yesterday was opened to-day before Air Barton, S.AI. Eric- Matthews, {petty officer of H.M.S. Diomede was present under arrest on the charge of murdering ,Stevens. Chief Detective Lopdel appeared for ' the Police. Mr O’Leary represented Matthews George Orme employed in a pie stall, gave evidence that a number of men were in the stall, including the deceased and six naval men. Deceased was talking about women in general and a wife, in particular, in disparaging terms. Protest was made at Stevens’ remarks. Subsequently he 'heard a smack and saw a sauce bottle being replaced on the counter. Stevens left the cart and returned later. He mumbled, “If I die, someone will hear about, .it.” Whatever trouble arose, was caused by the conduct and conversation of the deceased. ■Doctor Lvnoh who made a post mortem, said death was duo to exfradual haemmorrhage and compression of the brain, arising from a fracture tof the temple bone. The particular part of the skull struck was the- thinnest portion. Frank Edgar Matthew, petty officer of H.M.S. Diomede, said deceased and another were having a heated argument. Deceased threatened to clorin up the other man. The conversation was not fit to listen to. There was a scuffle. (Witness Went outside and caught hold of Matthews who was very excited. The injured man was running down the road. Evidence was given hy the Police of finding the deceased in the sticot. Subsequent to the death, at the Police Station Detective Kean, who interviewed Matthews, said Matthews made a statement to the effect that he was annoyed at the remarks made hy Stevens about bis wife and sister, and hit him. He could not recollect where he hit him, or what he hit him with. The Coroner returned a verdict m accordance with the medical "testimony, stating the .Fracture of the skull was inflicted on deceased by a blow with a bottle from Matthews. The .preliminary hearing of the murder charge was then taken befoie Air Pago. S.AI. The evidence at t*he inquest was sworn to by the witnesses, and accused was remanded till Wednesday next.