NEVER TO RETUNR

Hokitika Guardian, 23 December 1933, Page 6

NEVER TO RETUNR

MAN. LEAVES AUSTRALIA

LIFE SENTENCE COMMUTED

SYDNEY, December 16,

James (“Scotty”) McCall, able seaman, and central figure in one of Australians best known criminal trials, Ipi't tlie Commonwealth as a passenger on the French liner Eridan, never to return.

For 24 hours McCall, fidgeted in his cabin while the liner was, delayed, believing that a hitch had occurred i ll the deportation arrangements, hut finally lie got away—a free man, so long us.be keeps away from Australia. “This is purgatory!” he said to a seaman who worked with him years ago as the boat was waiting. “I will not fool free until I see the Heads behind me,”

McCall served 13 years in gaol for shooting with intent to murder, William Albert Dettmami, a Rose Bay builder, in 1919. For years lie was regarded as a dangerous prisoner. M aiders did not enter bis cell alone. He led prison riots, and was considered incorrigible. About 18 months" ago McCall' was allowed to make friends with a child of eight, and from that day he reformed. Before he left Australia he said he would never seem the inside of a

prison again. ' Mc.Call owes bis freedom to a number of old shipijnateA and members of the Seamen’s Union, who heard a whisper that it might be possible to get bis release. They deputed Mr Jacob Johnson, their secretary, to carry out the negotiations. Four months ago they learned that release could be arranged on condition that Me,Oml left /Australia for ever, and that lie sailed on a ship that did not touch an Australian port.

Tlie trial and conviction of McCall provided a remarkable case. Mr Dettlpann was awakened by a blow on the head. He jumped out of bed, and grappled with a burglar, but he was caught by the throat. His wife tried to switch on the light, but only succeeded in flashing it for an instant. Mr Dettmann had only this brief glimpse of a man with a police baton tied to his wrist.

“Let mo 'go and I’ll get!” the intruder said in what Mr Dettmau later described as a cross between broad Scots and American accent. He was then shot in the abdomen and was in a critical condition for months. In 1920, at a line-up at tlie police station, Mr Dettmann, still sick, was unable positively to identify a man, but lie took a. note of tlie name- and watched the' newspapers.' Later lie saw That, jHcCall; was on trial in a case of "malicious wounding. He sat in Court, heard McCall address the jury, and identified him by his Voice. McCall was sentenced to ..death, this being later cqnimu{ed,-',tp , <imprisonment for life. ' Before;'he!, sailed dpn the Eridair Mcca.il - said-: ! Vjy ;ser,yecL fill that time hold.’! He claimed that he did not “db the; .Dettmami job,’” and gave that asra’n explanation for his violent conduct as a, prisoner. Now a man of 51 years pf age, lie does not look bis age. lie is ,iyell ,built,-and. in fine physical condition;, ! ‘

The sailor who interviewed McCall said that lie - looked for some trace of the .“bai’dr ease” in McCall. “There does not seejn to be a trace of vice in him.i'i}Q»?j;yapd I’ll bet- be never guts, into gaol, again,” lie said. McCall will go tpsfi#yes ■ in Scotland. , k ■