MURDER CHARGE

Hokitika Guardian, 24 March 1933, Page 5

MURDER CHARGE

TBIAL OF MAOBI

CONTINUATION OF EVIDENCE.

[Per Press Association — Copyright.)

KAITAIA, March 23. Jack Karpeta, a labourer, sard that he spoke to Manuel, wlio said that tiieie had been an accident. \v if ness asked what was wrong, and accused leplied that Idati Rocson was nearly dead. Witness asked what had happened, and- Manuel said that he did <iot know. He only saw a hole in Hati’s ride.

A gun expert, Geary Gerald Kelly, said that the police gave him two shot guny for examination. In one gun (produced in court), was an empty cartridge shell, and it probably had been fired within three weeks. Tests showed that the cartridge was struck on tlie centre button toward the right.

Living next door to the police station, John Archibald saw Constable TliorneU, Detective-Sergeant Robertson, and accused drive up to the station. The officers went inside leaving the boy outside, alone. He went over to witness’ garden and witness naked him what was wrong. Aeensed replied that Hati. Robson had been shot, and in answer to further questions, rigid that he did not think that the police know who did it, or that they would find out. Ho 15aid that'deceased had been shot with a shot ,gun. Constable Thornell stated he saw Robson in bed in the hospital, and was told by the deceased that an old stomach complaint had broken out in bis side. He! did not think lie had been shot, but he said that if lie had been shot, it was in his sleep. Witness then went to Pukepoto and saw the accused. Taking y, short statement from him, witness went outside looking for a gun. Witness and Robertson decided to return to' Kaitaia, taking Manuel with them. Just before they left, Constable Buckley found a shotgun. They then took Manuel to Kaitaia, where witness had a conversation with the accused.

Mr Trimmer’s objection to the conversation being admitted at that juncture was upheld by tlie Magistrate.

Constable Thornel continued that he got '?.• statement from the accused and to make sure that he understood that, .1 Maori translation was made. Mr Trimmer then cross-examined Constable Thornell for the rest of the afternoon. Witness said that, in the morning, they had asked tlie accused if lie wanted a solicitor. He said he pvaivted. Mr Kelly. The police tried, but they could not gt Mr Kelly, until late in the afternon. In the meantime, witness took the statement from the accused.

James Noble Berglum, . interpreter, said that lie had buen requested to uiterpret it to the accused. '• Witness interpreted the statement, and the accused satisfied him that lie. undfil'rt ood it. The accused gaid that, the statement was true. • The poli.ee were not present, Witness said that he did not think he knew of Hati’s,- death until after the interview with the accused.. Evidence of the finding; of the two blood-stained cartridges./outside of the window of the deceased’s bedroom was riven hy Constable Buckley. Over a fence at the rear of a shack at the "ear of the house ho fovund a doublebarrelled shotgun. The re was a discharged cartridge in the right barrel. After making tests wit h, the gun, witness' considered, from: examining the deceased’sphotograph v that the wound could have been produced by a shot fired from the right barrel of the gun produced, fired at a. distanc® of about four feet,

The case was ari'jounied until tomorrow •. , i(