IS KILLING MURDER?

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5020, 30 August 1926, Page 2

IS KILLING MURDER?

CLEVER DEFENCE PUT FORWARD.

WEST AUSTRALIAN CASE.

PERTH, August 28

Counsel for accused (Mr Haynes, K.C.) continued his address to the jury in the Kalgoorlie murder ca,se. He gave Treffene’s version of the shooting. The detectives Walsh and Pitman Were watching Treffene , who was working alone. The, officers were expecting a mate of Treffene to come along, a.s the tracks Of motor-cars were visible in the vicinity. Eventually Treffene left the plant, carrying a shotgun over his shoulder and a bar of gold in his left hand. He proceeded down the bush track. The detectives) then called out “Hold on, Phil ! We want you !” Treffene began to run away and. the detectives gave chase. When the police were close, to him, Treffene stumbled and nearly fell. He made a grab for the gun, which went off. Treffene dropped the gun fynd the.n noticed Pitman in the act of falling. Walsh, too, staggered and fell to the ground—evidently shot through the jugular vein. Pitman had bee.n shot in the eye. Treffene got Walsh a drink of water.

Pitman meanwhile ceased breathing. Treffene went to get something to staunch Walsh’s bleeding, but on his return he found him head.

Clarke (the Crown witness), came along later and persuaded Treffene not to tell the police, as Treffene desired to do.

The trio returned to Boulder. Clarke went to the plant the same, night, and next morning told Treffene he had tried to burn the bodies, but could not manage it, so had to cut them up.