Dr. Adams’ Evidence.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 464, 6 July 1909, Page 3

Dr. Adams’ Evidence.

Dr. Adams deposed that he was called before 2 a.m. on Monday ‘by Fred Whibley who asked him to come at once as Tom Nye had been shot by his boy. Met Constable Woods in Main Street and journeyed up to Mr Nye’s residence together. On approaching the house we heard Violet Nye calling her father from the upstairs window. Could see her distinctly in the moonlight. Constable Woods and witness entered the house, which was in darkness, and found Thomas Nye lying on his back with his head in a pool of blood. There was a large gunshot wound on the left side of the neck, just under the jaw. From the position of the body and attitude of deceased, it was apparent that death had been instantaneous.

To Detective Quirke: There was no weapon near the body. An axe was lying in the kitchen. From the nature of the wound I would not say it was self-inflicted. The post-mortem examination was as follows: —From external appearances, —Body on flat of back with the right elbow in the position of holding a candle. Candle found by the right side. A lacerated wound, the size of the palm of one’s hand, in the left submaxillary region, shattering the left lower jaw, severing the carotted artery and jugular veins of the left side. Around the main lacerated wound are numerous shot perforations. In the centre of the wound is the -wad of a cartridge. The cervicle vertebrae in the wound are shattered on their anterior surfaces. The shot produced were found iu the spinal column at the seat of the wound. The heart was contracted and

empty. The internal organs were in a healthy condition'* In my opinion death was instantaneous and the result oi a <gun shot wound in the left' submaxillary region severing the spinalcord.