SYMONS MURDER

Hokitika Guardian, 17 August 1931, Page 5

SYMONS MURDER

FURTHER EVIDENCE. ( By Telegraph—Ver Press Association) WELLINGTON, August' 17. The murder charge against Coats was continued to-day. Detective Murray gave evidence as to reading over to the accused the statement he had made, and afterwards going n .tn h m to his room. Accused, in answer then, beforehand had stated that the girl had left him to go to some friends, and that so far as he was concerned she was quite all right. Accused agreed to a search being made of his room, and after he had been given some dinner he accompanied them to his place. Witness put in a number of exhibits picked tip there, including two letters, which the accused said he had written, and were ready for posting. Witness read them over in the room and said to accused.—“ What do you mean when you refer in those letters to having got rid of Phil.” He said that was just his way of expressing that they had parted. Accused accompanied them to the old address, 140 Adelaide Road, and waited outside with Constable Smith, while witness was absent inside for some time, making inquiries. Witness produced further exhibits obtained there. On his return to the detective office here, witness continued reading to the accused the statement he had made, and accused signed this portion also as correct. Acting on instructions, witness asked the accused to remain at the office while he made further inquiries, because witness had discovered that the accused had another box at 'Kilbirnio. Witness detailed a quantity of ladies’ apparel found in this. There was also a nook entitled “Ladies’ Handbook of Home Treatment,” with a page turned down at abortion, miscarriage and premature labour. WELLINGTON, August 17. Later that evening said Detective Murray, he called on De Maine and as a result of what De Maine told him, -witness saw accused, who was sitting in the office. Witness said he thought De Maine could' assist in the enquiries hut he appeared very reticent, and witness asked accused if lie wanted De Maine to tell the whole truth, and if he would tell De Maine to do so. Accused 'said “lyes,” and agreed to. tell De Maine. That third interview took place between eleven and midnight and witness then finalised the accused’s statement. Accused again read it over and signed it, as being correct. Witness produced the statement which was not read. Witness went cm to sav that acting on instructions, he laid the information and obtained a warrant for the accused’s arrest on a charge of attempting to supply a noxious tiling for the purpose to bring about a miscarriage. Witness took bus charge into tlie watchhousQ at the station, and road it over to him. Accused said-—“ Lets have a look at it.” Witness handed the information over to accused, who read it and smiled. He put it on the counter with the remark—“ That’s all right.” Witness afterwards went on to speak of interviewing the accused, subsequent to the finding of the body. COATS COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. WELLINGTON, August 17. ■coats was committed to the Supreme Court for trial.