TOMAHAWK MURDER

Hokitika Guardian, 13 April 1932, Page 6

TOMAHAWK MURDER

CHARGE AGAINST O’CONNOR

DECEASED'S STATEMENT

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association)

DUNEDIN, April 13

Lewis William O'’Connor appeared at til© Police Court this morning charged that on March 30th. at Tomahawk he murdered Findlay D’ouglsa Buchanan.

The inquest was taken with the preliminary hearing of the charge. Dr. Evans, police surgeon, stated that at 1.40 a.in. on March 30th. lie . was called to a house at Tomahawk and saw the deceased propped up m bed. He said he had been shot in the, side. Witness found a gunshot wound on the left side of the chest, the edges being blackened. I hoi© was a considerable opening into the chest and abdomen. While waiting for the ambulance, witness told the deceased that there was no hope or his recovery, adding “you know you’re going to die.” Deceased said “I know.” Witness asked who shot him,. deceased replying that it was O’Connor, and that he saw him when he openccf the door. Doctor Mason, resident surgeon at the hospital, stated Buchanan was still conscious when the Police Superintendent saw witness, but he was not fit to answer questions. In fact, lie became unconscious shortly. Dr. Watt, pathologist, who made a. post mortem, stjated that in his opinion the deceased would he from 6ft. to 9ft. from the gun when he was shot. There was no powder staining on the deceased’s garments. William James Taber, storekeeper at Tomahawk, said he was disturbed at 12.40 a.m. on March 30th. by a knock on the shop door. O’Connor came to the door and asked for cigarettes which witness refused. Accused went away. From his speech witness thought he was under the influence of liquor. At 1.30 accused returned and when the knocking persisted, witness told O’Connor he would send for a. detective.

Accused said—“l want to see you. I’ll wait for you.” Accused dropped something with a loud crash on the verandah and ran. Ten minutes afterwards Albert Newton arrived on the verandah and witness telephoned to the police. Later, •Newton drew attention to a gun on the verandah and they found spots of blood on the verandah. Jessie Lindsay Taber, wife of the last witness, said she thought O’Connor was drunk.

Eileen Caroline Buchanan, widow ot the deceased, stated that her husband was a relief worker, and that they were married in 1931. She had known O’Connor for some years, and had a son 3 years 9 months old, of which O’Connor was the father. She had taken proceedings with regard to the child and accused admitted paternity, a maintenance order being made in 1928. The child was, living with witness at her home on the night of MaVch 29th., and so far as she knew deceased and accused were friendly. She and deceased retired to bed at 9.40 p.m. on March 29th., when they were awakened by a knocking. Her husband went to the door, accused coming in. He was drunk and asked for a cigarette. Deceased gave him n cigarette and said : “Now, get away home. It’s late.” Accused said: “Are you putting me out?” Ho dmtr’t seem angry when he said this, and she didn’t see 'whether deceased had to help accused to the door, being half asleep. Accused when going said he wanted to see the boy, but deceased said he could see the child when he was sober. They were again disturbed about I a.in., when she beard a knocking, and O’Comior say, “Is Fin there, John?” Her husband went to t!io door and she beard him open it, but nothing more till the shot. Going to the door of the bedroom, she saw her husband on the floor, and O’Connor standing inside with a giin. Witness ran for a neighbour. Air Newton. They found deceased still on the floor but accused was not there.