PICTON MURDER

Hokitika Guardian, 23 November 1932, Page 6

PICTON MURDER

TRIAL ENTERS THIRD DAY

MEDICAL EVIDENCE TAKEN

(Per Press Associatim — Copyright.)

BLENHEIM, November 23. The trial of Tarrant on the murder charge wa s resumed this morning. James Flood, nephew of deceased, give evidence regarding deceased’s investments and mode of living. The beneficiaries under his will were himself, two brothers, two sisters, ana thre e cousins/; ! Under crOss-exammation w'tnesg den. ied that he borrowed money in anticipation of a legacy-‘under his uncle’s will. Witness was questioned closely concerning bis whereabouts at the time of the murder. He denied that he did not get on with his uncle. On the night of the alleged murder, witness was on the foreshore till about eight o'clock, and then returned hom e with a friend,

■Two other nephews deposed as to the reluctance of deceased to lend money. Dr E. W. Smyth gave, in minute detail, the results of the examinations of the body of deceased, including the injuries and two neck wounds, which Could only have been caused by a heavy, sharp instrument being used with considerable force. He concluded that deceased had been struck a violent blow 0 n the back of the head from behind by a left handed man. An aye (produced) could have caused the injuries. ,

Cross examined, witness said that if deceased turned as the blew was struck in right handed manner, it was pos-ib'ie these injuries could have been received.

Dr. Philip Lynch, pathologist, explained that one of his specialities was the deducting of the cause and means of death by post mortem. He detailed at length the results' of his conclusions of the post mortem on deceased’s body. The back of the axe would produce the wounds in the head and the neck wounds would result from a blow from the axe. The cas e is nrneeedir.g. .