MURDER TRIAL OPENS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 208, 27 April 1932, Page 5

MURDER TRIAL OPENS

(Pyess. Assn.—

JUDGE EXPLAINS LAW IN RELATION TO EFFECTS OF LIQUOR ACCUSED PLEADS NOT GUILTY

-By Telegraph— Copyright).

DUNEDIN, Tuesday. At the Supreme Court to-day, Lewis William O'Connor was charged with the murder of Finlay Douglas Buchanan, at Tomahawk on March 30. In his address to the Grand Jury His Honour Mr. Justice Kennedy said- there might be evidence of eo.nsumption of much liquor by the pqpspn accused, but they would bear in mind that on the contrary was proved, every person was presumed to intend and to know the natural consequence of, his own act. If a man under the influenee of liquor intended to shoot another, and clid shoot another, his drunken intent did not make it less a crime than if he was sober. Accused pleaded not guilty. Counsel for both Crown and accused freely excercised the right of challenge in the selection of the jury. Evidence showed that shortly after midnight on March 29, accused went to deceased's house and asked for a cigarette. Deceased gave him one and advised him to go home, apparently, from all accounts, on good terms. Shortly afterward accused returned and shot Buchanan when the latter opened the door to him. Witnesses spoke of the drunken condition of accused about the time of the occurrence. The case will be continued and probably will be concluded to-mor-row. The jury was loclced np for tlie night.