MURDER ALLEGED.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3991, 31 August 1929, Page 2

MURDER ALLEGED.

SOUFFLE IN THE DARK.

ACCUSED TO BE TRIED.

Auckland, Yestorday,

At the Magistrate’s Court, yesterday afternoon, before Mr. E. C. Cut ten, S.M., further evidence was heard in the charge against George Caffery, of murdering Thomas G. Levy.

Majrgaret Langton, of Nelson St., said on the evening of the tragedy Caffery 'came to their house. “I want Cole,” he said. “I am going to kill that to-night. He

sleeps in that back room of your bouse.” Witness said: “You will do no killing here,” and told Caffery that Cole had left her house ten days previously, and was living at No. lit). He then went away. James Langton, husband of the previous witness, said he heard Caffery say he was going to kill Cole. He considered Caffery drunk at the time.

Detective Knight said that, shortly after the tragedy he noticed accused's boots were spattered with blood.

In a written statement read by Detective Sneddon, accused, said he went to the house in Nelson Street to see Cole. The door was opened by a man he did not know, and he 'told witness to go away. There was a scuffle and suddenly the other man cried out about blood flowing from him. The accused said he had nothing in his hands at the time, and did not know how the other was injured. He was accompanied by a friend, Patrick Byrne, but lie did not see him with any weapon. He had a few drinks during the evening, but remembered clearly what had happened. Patrick Byrne, a seaman, said he was drinking with Caffery nearly all day. Witness denied leaving the house with Caffery after they reached home after 6 o’clock. He fell asleep and did not wake up until the police arrived. Dr. Dickson (for the accused) asked whether the police intended to put in as an exhibit the pair of boots with blood stains on them. These were not the boots worn by Caffery, and it was contended by the defence that they belonged to someone .else. The Crown Prosecutor, Mr. Meredith, said be did not intend to offer the boots as evidence. They were handed to the police by Caffery’s wife on the morning after the tragedy.

Mr. Dickson said he would be content if the boots were made available for the purposes of the defence in the Supreme Court. The accused pleaded not guilty, and was committed to the Supreme Count for trial.