PRISONER KILLED
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ESCAPE. WARDER CRITICALLY SHOT. (Australian Press Association ) MELBOURNE, Feb. 28. Tn a disturbance, the details whereof are a mystery, which occurred at Coburg Penitentiary to-day, James Barker, aged 18, a prisoner, was shot dead, and Thomas O’Dowd, a warder, was shot in the abdomen and seriously hurt. Another warder named Bennett was wounded. It is reported that several shots were heard outside the gaol walls. The gaol authorites are reticent but are bolding an inquiry. It was later ascertained that the convict, a notorious youngster, attempted to surmount the parapet of the wall on which are stationed armed warders at each corner of the gaol. He crept into the watch tower, seized Warder Bennett’s rifle from the corner and struck Bennett a heavy blow on the head. He then rushed along the parapet and was about to drop down the other > side, when Warder O'Dowd and other attendants saw him and fired. Barker simultaneously discharged Bennett’s rifle at O’Dowd. Barker fell dead, with a bullet ill his head. O'Dowd was critically shot in the abdomen. Barker was oil remand, charged with shooting at a constable with intent It' murder,
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Hokitika Guardian, 29 February 1932, Page 5
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194PRISONER KILLED Hokitika Guardian, 29 February 1932, Page 5
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