A CHARGE OF MURDER.

Shannon News, 24 October 1924, Page 3

A CHARGE OF MURDER.

SHUTES BEFORE THE COURT. AUCKLAND, Oct. 23. The charge against Benjamin Harrison Shutes of having murdered Louis Short i'n the Aurora Hotel on October 10 was resumed'in the Police Court to-day. Shutes was also charged with assault on Frederick James Sands on October 10. Frederick Sands, licensee of the Aurora Hotel, said that on the night of October 10 he saw Stretton. and Kilpatrick in a bedroom occupied by a man named Whela'n. The latter brought three bottles of beer to his bedroom. Witness saw Shutes when he came to book a room. Shutes no doubt had had a few drinks, but he was sober. Witness later heard loud talking in Whelan’s room, and saw accused, Kilpatrick, Whelan* Taylor and Stretto'h (three boarders and two guests) in a room. He cautioned them, but the noise continuing* witness told Shutes he must leave. Shutes replied that he would not be put out and walked into a corner of the room. Accused put his hand dow'n towards his trousers pocket. -Stretton called out: “Look out; he's got a - knife.” Eventually Shutes and Kilpatrick left quietly, Stretton having left previously.

John Whelan, in his evidence, said that Shutes, when irxvited to have a dri'nk, spilled as much as he drank. Ivan Eccles said he was in the upstairs bar of the Aurora at 9.30 p.m. Just after Short left the bar witness heard his name shouted, and found Short stooping with blood rushing from his groin. Short said: “There he goes; chase him.” Witness saw a man running down stairs, and followed him. He took refuge in a doorway where he threatened him with a beer-bottle. The man ran away, and witness lost sight of him. He could not identify the man, but identified the coat lie was wearing as the one Sbutes had on in Court.

SIIUTES TELLS HIS STORY. LIQUOR AND A POCKET-KNIFE. AUCKLAND, Last Night. Chief Detective Cummings produced a statement signed by Shutes. The later said: “I had to defend myself. We went to the Aurora Hotel and had a bottle of beer. I thought Short was barman, so I went to get more liquor. I met him outside the sitting room and an argument started. He struck me above the left eye, which staggered me. I think he hit me with a bottle. My knife was open in my hand, as I had tried to open a bottle with it. He raised his hand —apparently to hit me again—and I threw out both my hands. The knife blade went into him and we both fell to the ground. Deceased said T am stabbed,’ and I got a terrible shock. I knew there would be trouble, so I ran outside. I went down a side street and got on the top of a building. Then I climbed a fence and remained- till all was quiet. Then I went to a shop and telephoned for a taxi to take me to the ship.” Several other witnesses gave evidence. Magistrate Poynton said that there

was no conclusive evidence in support of the charge on the licensee of the City Hotel this charge' being dismissed. Counsel entered a plea of not guilty to the charge of murder and assault on the ship. Accused was committed for trial.