BLAKEWAY MURDER

Hokitika Guardian, 13 November 1931, Page 6

BLAKEWAY MURDER

CHARGE AGAINST DECKE. FURTHER EVIDENCE. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association ), PALMERSTON N., November 13. The hearing of the charge of murder against Norman Robert Decke in connection -with the death of Edwin John Blakeway, was resumed at the Magistrate’s 'Court. Doctor Charles Hector of Wellington gave lengthy „ detailed evidence of. a microscopical examination of numerous exhibits connected with the case, including Western .22 rifle, also shells and ammunition, and bullets taken from the body of deceased, the evidence being highly technical. Witness said his conclusions were that the bullet from the chest of deceased, also the scrap from the left forearm were Western .22 small rifle ammunition. Two bullets were found on the roadside. The same groves in the rifling shells were consistent with their being fired from the suspect rifle. The evidence was not sufficient to prove all the bullets were fired from the suspect rifle, but it. did not preclude the possibility that they were. An. examination of the rifle showed characteristic injury “on the rim of the firing chamber. Three shells and a live cartridge found on the scene of the tragedy showed certain marks which corresponded exactly with the injury on the .rim of the gun chamber. Continuing, Dr. Hector said identical groove marks were found, on the shells picked up near accused’s whare, and on all the test shells used in the isaisptect rifle. Witness had not found the same marks on any other shells and was of the conclusion that the shells found near accused’s whare, and those found on the scene of the tragedy were all fired from the suspect riflb.

On September 7th., witness examined the overcoat of deceased, particularly the black mark on the surface sleeves. From scraping that part he obtained powder grains, very similar to, if not- identical with, the powder obtained from the Western Long rifle cartridge.

Frederick Worley, Professor of Chemistry at Auckland University said that he was in agreement with the conclusions of Dr. Hector, whose photographs and other work he had examined. The investigation by Dr. Hector had been remarkably thorough; Sydney Tisdall, a director of a firm of gunsmiths, said he had made certain tests with Dr. Hector, in regard to the injury to the rifle. Tire magazine would hold five cartridges, together with one inserted in the chamber.