BLAKEWAY MURDER

Hokitika Guardian, 13 November 1931, Page 5

BLAKEWAY MURDER

FURTHER EVIDENCE HEARD. REMARKS BY ACCUSED. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association) PALMERSTON N., November 12. At the hearing of the murder charge against Decke, Frank Goode, a farmhand, said that he and Decke had often discussed the tragedy.. When informed that the police were, looking for cartridge cases in front of the wlmre, Decke said it was a pity they didn't look at the back, as he had been firing one night ouf of the window, Decke told him that Blake way never had, money on him, (Witness said that lm took that to mean that he had .gone through Blakeway’s pockets. He also said that if the police found Diamond brand cartridges around the whare or bought any recently, he would be done for. One night after the tragedy, the accused took down a box in the whare, saying: “There’s some more b evidence the police won’t get]” It seemed like an old envelope. STATEMENT 'BY ACCUSED.

Detective Russell produced a sfatement signed by Decke, in which the latter said that he went to Verrys to see. Smith, leaving about 10.30. He got off his bike on the way home to mend a puncture, having difficulty in getting the tyre off, He was not on Karere Road that night-. The last time he used .a rifle was on August 16. He knew Blakeway was going with Betty Meehan, and that was the principal reason of his going to Otaki to see 'Blakeway. He was afraid he made a threat, but he made it in the heat of the moment.

The witness detailed tests made with Decke’s gun, the cartridges being taken to Dr Hector, of Wellington. All of the .22 calibre automatic rifles within one hundred miles of Palmerston North had been fired through, and the cartridges retained. Detective Sergeant Doyle said the accused made no reply when charged with the crime.

The Court resumes in the morning