COLDSTREAM TRAGEDY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2594, 16 June 1923, Page 1

COLDSTREAM TRAGEDY.

YOUTH’S CONFESSION.

declares he shot girl also

Ashburton, Last Night. “Am T mad, am I mad? I shot McKenzie. I told him not to be silly. I hanged, my head and had a terrible nightmare.” This is the dramatic statement attributed to Albert Frederick Maxwell Kissel, a sturdy youth of 18 years who was arrested by the Ashburton police yesterday on a charge of murdering •Tames Henry Suring McKenzie, one of his best friends, aged 05 years. The affair occurred on the wellknown Coldstream estate, where the victim was employed as caretaker of the homestead of Mr John Sfudholme, during the latter’s absence on a visit to England. McKenzie was apparently shot as he lay asleep in the homestead. The circumstances surrounding the ease are peculiarly distressing. Although the accused man savs he shot McKenzie, he could not by any ettorl yesterday, account for his action. He does not even know how | he did ir or when the affair took ! place. The men had been on most intimate terms and Kissel was in the habit of spending a great many of his evenings at the homestead with McKenzie. The friendship was first Farmed on Quail Island, where McKenzie was caretaker in charge. In the homestead, a sad gruesome sight met the eyes of the police. The body of deceased was lying huddled on the floor in a pool of blood, clad in pyjamas. It did not appear that there had been a struggle and no

weapons were found anywhere a -

bout, mid if seemed as though deceased was done to death bv an assailant who fired one shot at the man as lie awakened, and that in his death struggle, deceased writhed over and dropped to the floor. A story of Kissel’s movements, behaviour and peculiar statements is told by his employer, Mr Little, a neighbouring farmer. According to

■ mi. Kissel took a team of horses nil to the paddock yesterday morn-

ng as usual, and worked in a normal manner. About mid-day he cent to his employer and said: “1

<rtm see nil the moi'nino*.” Naturally sucli a strange remark arouscd the curiosity of his listener, who questioned him further. Kissel went on dramatically: “Am I mad, am I mad? I shot McKenzie. I told him not to be silly. I banged my head and I had a terrible nightmare.” Later on, he said: “There were three cartridges in my box last night, and now there are only two.” They went together to the estate. McKenzie was killed by a sporting gun, and an empty cartridge .was found at Kissel’s quarters. Accused was brought before the Court this morning and remanded for eight days for observation. THE INQUEST. At the inquest on McKenzie this afternoon, the manager of the Studliohne estate, Mr Martin, said when Kissel arrived at the homestead after (he tragedy, witness grabbed him by the arm, saying: “We want you.” Kissel asked: “How is lie?” Witness said: “Yon killed him.” Kissel then gave way to grief, and collapsed to the ground. Witness said: “Be a man" and shook Kissel, who raved, shrieked and called out loudly. Witness said: “If you are afraid of being hanged, you need not lie, for you are mad.” Kissel said: “What does mad mean, is it being out of your head?” Witness said: “Yes.” Kissel then quietened down. He admitted entering the homestead from the side door. He also said that night he shot a gril with whom he had gone lo school. Her name was Elsie Prestige, but Kissel could not remember the place where he killed her. The inquest was adjourned sine die.