MURDER CHARGE

Hokitika Guardian, 16 December 1932, Page 6

MURDER CHARGE

AGAINST ALLEN ROY EASTON

(Per Press Association — Copyright.)

LEVIN December 16The preliminary hearing of the charge of the murder of ’ .his brother, J<>h i Spencer Easton, at Whirokino on Nov-ember-22, preferred-against Allen Ley Easton, began before Mr Stout, S.'-'l-Senior-Serge?lit Dmnie deposed he could find no fingerprints on the gun (picked up about 100 yards from the, cowshed. 1 Richard Allen 'Easton, father of the deceased,• said the accused 'would -bs , oventeen in May. On the day of the tragedy h e and his sons had milked 21 cows, when Rov said to Jack that lie had better milk another before starting the separator. Jack su'd witness and Roy could finkh in plenty of time, but the latter repeated his remark, whereupon Jack, got in anothei cow. Roy -said something to Jack, which witness did not hear, but Jack immediately got up and went "-do IDy's bail and shook his brother by the shoulder. Witness intervened, and Jack went on milking. Roy finished his cow, emptied the milk and went away. 'He looked as if he were crying, and thoroughly upset. Witness saw Roy going through ft fence towards the house. Witness land Jack continued milking for -six or seven minutes, and then came the report of a gun. Jack got up and walked over to the yard fence with hi, 9 hands to his chest. He said—“ Dad, you had better get a doctor I'm hurt.” witness ran to a neighbour's to telephone for a doctor when ho got back Jack was dead. Witness saw Roy running away. Later witness picked up a cartridge c a?e about six feet from the cowyftrd fence.