ALLEGED MURDER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3865, 1 November 1928, Page 2

ALLEGED MURDER.

KYEBURN TRAGEDY.

HARDIE ON TRIAL. Dunedin, October 30. William John Hardie pleaded not guilty in the Supreme Court to-day io a charge of murdering Joe Leong Shun at Kyeburn diggings on July 17th. Mr. Justice McGregor, addressing the grand jury said it was fairly clear that the Chinese had been murdered for his - gold, which had disappeared. The only question was whether the evidence was sufficient to point to Hardie as being the murderer. When Hardie was escorted into the dock, he appeared nervous but pleaded not guilty in a firm voice. Mr. A. C. Hanlon appeared for him. Before the jury was empanelled, the Crown exercised 12 challenges and Mr. Hanlon three. Mr. F. B. Adams (Crown Prosecutor) in opening, said there had been a certain amount of sensationalism in the public reports and on behalf of the Crown, he urged jurors to recognise nothing but what would now be produced in evidence. Shun had met his death by bullet wounds. Two of the four wounds could have caused death. There was no possibility of the defence proving self-defence; it was either murder or manslaughter. The Crown could not produce any actual spectator of the crime but there was evidence which took them very close to the time when the crime was committed, namely, that of Sue Pee, who was in the hut when Hardie arrived and saw the deceased and Hardie leave together. Counsel traced Hardie’s movements and emphasised the importance of knowing what chance Hardie had of getting gold, since tivo ounces were in his possession when he was arrested. When the Court adjourned for lunch the judge informed the members of the jury that they would be kept together during the trial. Site Uee, who lived with Shun, had said that after dinner on July 17, accused, who was a perfect stranger, called! at the hut and said something about a murder which had recently taken place, continued Mr. Adams. The Chinese treated Hardie hospitably, the man, according to Gie, asked if Shun had a gun. An old magazine rifle was produced, which he loaded. Accused asked if Shun was getting plenty of gold and went outside, ostensibly to look at the claim. Pee later went to chop wood; and noticed Shun lying some distance