MURDER CHARGE

Hokitika Guardian, 30 January 1931, Page 5

MURDER CHARGE

ROUSE GIVES EVIDENCE

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—-Copyright.) (Received tins clay at 1.5 p.m.)

LONDON Januarv 29

Rouse during four hours ordeal in tin- witness 1,0.\ detailed how lie had picked up an unknown man, who asked for a 1 ift. He then stopped to lill ll.e p-'tro! tank, which ihe passenger oll'iivd to fill. Rouse walked a little way down ihe* road, and later saw the blaze, lie then ran back.

Here Louse broke down completely, and his wifi who "as watching, wepL hilterlv.

Aci-us.'d. when lie recovered, proceeded. “When I reached the car T could Met approach it owing to the high flames and intense heat. Panic stricken, I ran towards the village.” Rouse stated that he turned and ran attain towards the car hut could not see the man. He was terrified at the sight, and again ran down the road

Accused appeared to shudder as he gave his evidence.

Proceeding, ho said ho saw two men approaching. His first thought were to ask for help. He did not know why lie did not speak to them. He could not account for it. He thought he shouted out something, hut did not know what. “T ran this way find that, and lost my head entirely. T remember trying to stop a lorry. Another arrived which 1 stopped.” tieadded that he was driven to London, where lie alighted, and went home where he stayed for a quarter of an hour and then caught a coach to Wales to see friends. Rouse recollected giving some explanation to these people, which he now admitted was untrue, and foolish of him

Pining tin 1 cross examination Rouse admitted a number of falsehoods accounting for them hv his panic. Pressed for answer why lie did not attem-nt to rescue the man he answered “I did not. we him in the ear.” Bcrketi “You swear that.”

Rouse stood erect. looked at the judge, and said “I swear it.” Ho frequently’ renlied to Porkett “1. cannot remember.” Explaining his memory was affected bv a war wound in the head, he emphatically protested his innocence.