HAWERA MURDER CASE

Hokitika Guardian, 2 July 1931, Page 5

HAWERA MURDER CASE

HEARING OPENS. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association) HA AVER A, July 2. The hearing of the charge against Walt, r John Tinsley, aged 25, ol having murdered Maua. Chibba Hindu fruit erer at Hawera between II p.m. on January 31st and February Ist opened this morning in conjunction with . the inquest. Air J. H. Salmon S.M., was on the Dench with District Coroner R. S. Sage. P. O’Dea ar.d H. R. Hiss appeared for accused, and C. 11. Weston (New Plymouth) represents the Crown. It is anticipated that the hearing will extend over two full days, there iieng 11 police and witnesses to be called.

Mr Weston said be did not propose to outline the case but immediately to call evidence.

Senior Detective T. Quirke said that since February 2 he bad l:e n on special duty at Hawera in connection with the charge. On February 4 he saw accused for tlie first time at the Royal Hotel, where witness Was staying. He saw Tiilsley for seine weeks. On March 14th, proceeded Defective Quirks, lie saw Tinsley about 1.48 p.m. a lid tolcl him he wished to see hi In. Tinsley accompanied witness and Detective Meiklejolm upstairs in the hotel where he made a statement. Witness questioned Tinsley about liis movements between January 31st and February Ist and also as to liis financial position. Tinsley signed a statement as being true. Witness told Tinsley lie wanted to search liis room and Tinsley )nd told him to do so. Detective Meildejolin had found a bottle of benzine inside a cretonne covered wardrobe.

Questioned as to what purpose lie used the benzine Tinsley said to clean his trousers. A further search of the wardrobe disclosed a brown waterproof coat with a blood smear and blood spots on it. Detective Meiklejolm had said to accused how do you account for this, and accused did not answer and appeared to be confused. Detective Meiklejolm further questioned him and accused said : —“ls it blood.” The Detective had answered :

—“Of course it is blood.” Accused had then said:—“l must have got that at the Masterton Freezing Works.”

Accused made a statement relative to the coat and trousers and signed it twice. Accused leaned over to touch the coat but was cautioned not to.

Witness took possession of both coat and trousers.

With the permission of liis employer, one, Cleaver, a search was liiade of the bakoTy in an upstairs floor room and nearby shed. The search was finished about 8 p.m,, accused being loft at the haker.V.

Tinsley’s employer did not know what witness and Detective Me.iklejohn were searching for on March 14th, Witness served Tinsley with a Coroner’s subpoena to attend the inquest on March 24th., when it was proposed to hold the inquest. Just after dinner on March loth., Tinsley had accosted witness in the hotel and had said lie was going back to Masterton with his wife. Witness said:—“Keep your job. and stay here.” He was asked wliat clothes he was wearing on the night of January 31st., when he was in Nana Chiliba’s shop and had said a light suit and a rough brown overcoat.

On May 12th. accused was interviewed at his uncle’s house at Kuripuni, Masterton about 6 p.m. Detective Meiklejohn, witness, and Sergt. Dwyer were present.

Detective Meikeljohn charged him with the crime. Witness warned Tinsilev lie need not say anything and anything be did say might oe used against him. “I told him,’’ added Detective Quirke, that his overcoat had been examined and a trace of human blood hack been found on it. Tinsley said be bad only worn the coat once or twice while in Hawera. He said he had worked in the freezing works at Masterton and had two or three coats, having chosen to wear the one in question because it had been handy. Wiiile putting on his boots Tinsley said :—“You fellows had to catch someone and you caught me.’’ He made a further remark about the lodgment of money, saying to witness: “You have money yourself. You shout for otheis in the hotel.’’

The next morning accused came before the Court at Masterton and was remanded to New Plymouth on May 24 th.

Accused was placed with 13 others in ail identification parade at Hawera selecting bis own position among the men. Three Maoris liad identified him as having been seen in Ohilibn s sbon on the night of January 31. A fourth native was uncertain.