MURDER TRIAL

Hokitika Guardian, 17 December 1932, Page 5

MURDER TRIAL

BROTHERCHARGED FURTHER EVIDENCE TAKEN. [Per Press Association Copyright.) LEVIN, December 16. At the hearing of the charge of the murder of his brother, John Spencer Easton, at Whirokino, on November 22, preferred against Allen Roy Easton, accused’s father said that there were two guns and two rifles in the house, but only one shotgun cartridge was left. Roy did not come home that night. Next afternoon witness saw him near Whirokino Bridge, He told him to come home. Roy said: “How* is Jack?” witness told him he was dead. The gun was found near the bails. It had recently been repaired. About fifty cartridges had since been fired. Witness fired three of these. One misfired.

Dr. Thompson detailed the condition of the wounds as observed at the post mortem.

Sydney Tisdell deposed that from marks on the post in the cow bail it was evident the shot was fired from between the top and second bail in the ctnv-yard feilce at a distance of about ten yards.

POLSON SENT FOR TRIAL.

DUNEDIN, December 16.

Further evidence was heard in the Police Court case in which Thomas Poison was charged with attempting to murder Ruth Eleanor Corlet, and also with attempting suicide. This is the affair in a. Queen Street flat on November 14.

Medical' evidence was that when admitted to the hospital, Corlet was suffering from shock, head and arm injuries, including a fracture of the skull, the doctor stating that the hammer (produced) was capable of inflicting the injuries found. • Ruth Eleanor Coa-let said she knew accused. by sight. She and Miss Cottrell had a flat in Queen Street. Witness, was sleeping in the bed-sitting room and Cottrell in the adjoining room. Witness was awakened at dawn and saw a man in,her room. He walked to the bed and said, “You are not Clare.” Witness replied that Miss Cottrell was in her own room. 'Sitting on the side of the bed 1 , accused sa -jd—“Have you been having a high time,” to which she replied asking what he meant. She-did not think he replied, hut he hit her on the left side of the head. (She put up her hands to protect her head and he struck four blows on her arm and hand. She did not lose consciousness, intt a little later went to Mr Maunscll’s room for assistance. Accused was a total stranger to her. She had seen him only once before. DUNEDIN, December 10. Thomas Polbou was charged with attempting to murder Ruth Corlet in a boarding house in the city on November 14. ~ . , tt He was committed for trial by H. W. Bundle in the Police Court to-day. Bail was not applied for.