ALLEGED MURDER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1747, 14 August 1917, Page 3

ALLEGED MURDER.

JACKSON ON TRIAL. " At the Palmerston sitting of the Supreme Court yesterday, before his Honour Mr Justice Chapman and a jury, George Jackson was charged with the alleged murder of his son, Thomas Claude Grammer Jackson, at Raumai, on June 29th, 1917. Mr A. C. Loughnan, Crown Prosecutor, appeared for the Crown, and accused, who pleaded not guilty, was defended by Mr T. M. Wilford and Mr H. G. Moore. The Crown Px-osecutor outlined the circumstances relating to the tragedy, and said that after hearing the evidence, the jury would have no difficulty in arriving at a verdict. Thomas Alfred Grammer, farmer, Baincsse, gave evidence that on the morning of June 29th last he was at Ashhurst. He knew George Jackson, the accused, and met him there. Jackson's wife was witness’ sister. The Jackson family lived at Raumai, a few miles from Ashhurst, He met Jackson between 10 and 10.30 and remained with him for about three-quarters of an hour. They had two drinks together, Jackson having one long and one medium “half-and-half.” Later in the day, about 12 o’clock, they left together for Jackson’s home at Raumai. They used Jackson’s gig, and accused drove. The latter was quite sober, but bad tempered. They reached the homestead between one and two o’clock. A little after two o’clock they all sat down lo dinner. Airs Jackson carved at (he head of the table, George Jackson sat on her right, and the son-Tom on her left, -the others present being the son Huia, two young daughters, Mr Allweight, Mr Brown, and witness. Tom Jackson sat opposite his father, and witness next to Tom. [The (able was a long narrow one, about 2ft. (»iu, or 2ft. lOin. wide. During dinner some one called at the house, and George Jackson, Airs Jackson and the son Huia went outside. George Jackson returned (irst, and was in a very bad temper, kicking (he furniture about, and an argument arose between the son Tom and his father. The father said he was boss, and Tom said he wasn’t. They got into a heated argument, and Jackson rose from his seat. Tom also rose. Jackson grabbed the carving knife (produced) from tlie table, and struck at young Tom with it across the table. Witness did not actually see the knife enter the boy’s body. After he struck at (he hoy, accused threw the knife on the floor. After being struck, Tom came round (he table and hit his fa (her in (he face with his fist. There was a bit of a struggle, and Tom wenl outside. The father followed the boy, and witness went out behind (hem. Tie (hen heard someone call mil lo George Jackson, “You’ve stabbed Tom.” Witness saw that the boy was being hold up by his brother. George Jackson raved, and said to Tom, “You’ve been looking for (his, and now you've got it.” Tom was taken inside ami pul to bed. Witness assislcd lo examine him, and found the wound. There were blood marks on his single!, the garment produced in Court corresponding with (he one Tom was wearing at the time. Witness examined the knife and found blood stains upon it. After the boy was taken into the house, George Jackson called out to someone to gel bis horse and lie would go and give himself lo (he police. To Air Wilford: Witness was at the dance at Ashhurst the previous evening. Some members of the Jackson family were also there. Accused had a bottle of whisky in his possession early the following morning. Accused came to witness’ brother’s place about seven o’clock. He was not (here at 5 a.m. Accused was quite a different man when.in liquor. Air Wilford; Would 1 be right in saying he is a gentleman when sober and a lunatic when under the influence of drink ? AViluess: Yes, that is right. Mr Wilford: Accused had two' sons, Huia and Tom. AVhich was his favourite? Witness; Tom. He always spoke of Tom with pride, and said he was a good chap. Tom was an athletic young fellow, and capable of looking after himself. To Air AVilford: He did not hear any argument with a man named Craven about a deal in posts, or that George Jackson had objected (o (he deal being made with his son, instead of with himself as boss of the house. Jackson struck straight across the table at the boy, and then threw (lie knife down. Young Tom came round the corner of the table and struck accused in the eye, and continued pummelling his father on the couch, Tom being on top. Tom was pulled off by his mother, who came in from the kitchen. AVhen Tom was struck, it was done so quickly that witness hardly realised what had happened. The Court then adjourned.