THE RUAHINE MURDER.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 137, 12 February 1915, Page 5

THE RUAHINE MURDER.

ROTTMANN BEFORE THE COURT. CROWN PROSi'2CUTOR’S- OPENING. WELLINGTON, Feb 12. A great deal ct interest was manifested in the Supreme Court this morning, when Arthur Rottmanu was charged with murdering at Rnahine on December 28, Joseph McCann, Lucy Mary McCann, and John Joseph McCann. Accused, who pleaded not guilty, was depended by Mr 0. ,E. Mac-hay. Accused, apparently between 21 and 25 years ci age, is tall, wellset up, and intelligent-looking. He is a German by birth, but not a naturalised British subject. In opening the case the Crown Prosecutor (Mr Marshall) said it was a subjest for congratulation that, with the increasing population in this district, so few crimes of this nature had occurred here. He had been Crown Prosecutor for many years, and this was the first time he had had to address the jury in connection with a crime of this sort. If the evidence showed that the accused man was innocent, it wculd he gratifying to all, but, on the ether hand, an atrocious murder had been committed, by which three persons had lest their lives, and if the murder was sheeted home to the accused, he asked the jury to do its duty and return a verdict of guilty. McCann was about 36 years of age, his wife 34 and the child 4 months.

The first witness, Roberts, surveyor, explained the plan of the locality, after which Herbert Sweet, farmer, Ruahine, was called. He said McCann premised to help witness with his sheep on. the Monday But did 'not come.

William Neil, labourer, Ruahine, said on Boxing Day lie met accused riding one of McCann’s horses, and they went to Rangiwahia together, and had a good many drinks during the day, and accused was drunk during the afternoon and sobered at night. On their way home they had a conversation about the McCann family. Accused said McCann wae a good fellow but he did not like bis wife, who drank too much whisky. Accused did not want to go home to McCann’s that night, fearing a, vow with McCann, and rode with witness to the latter’s place, but finally left there about midnight cn Sunday morning. Witness saw McCann at the factory delivering his milk himself.

THE TRIAL RESUMED. WITNESSES’ EVIDENCE. ROTTMANN’S STATEMENTS. COUNSEL’S ADVICE. SAY NOTHING, WRITE NOTHING, DO NOTHING. WANGANUI, This Day. The murder trial was resumed today. Dr Turnbull, recalled, in reply to the Crown Prosecutor, said he came to the conclusion that death had occurred 48 hours previous to his second examination on Wednesday morning. Detective Sergeant Rawlins detailed the arrest of the accused, who was found crouching down by the side of a tree, behind Te Kamara Homestead. •Witness covered him with a revolver, telling him to put up his hands, which he did, at the same time saying, “I am guilty, I know what 1 have done.” On leading the accused cut of the bush witness charged him with the murder and he replied, “;I la|m guilty, God punish the man who brought liquor into this country”

Acting Detective Dempsey, who assisted in the capture of accused, said the latter was very quiet when arrested. and said, “I had been drinking heavily.” Later cn he said, “When [ got home the doors were locked, I had a bottle cf whisky,l don’t know where 1 get it.”

Constable Crow, who escorted the accused to Wellington after his committal at Mangaweka, stated the accused said in the train, “On the morning of the 28th December, I got home about 3 o’clock and went out with McCann to the cow bail. Me Cana was putting in a new board, I asked him to let me do it as I was a carpenter.” He said “You are too full.” “I said I can swing an axe,” and I swung it round my head accidentally l hitting McCann. I then slept for two hours, and when I got up and saw McCann lying there, I got another bottle of whisky and drank it, wanting to kill myself. I then went to Mrs McCann’s bedroom to tell her what I had done, and I don’t, remember anything more until I came to the cowbail and saw McCann. I got sober all at once, and then put four kerosene tins of water into the milk and went to the factory.” Witness understood the accused received a telegram from Mr Wilford, saying: “Write nothing, say nothing, do nothing.” CASE FOR THE DEFENCE INSANITY, PLEADED. Mr Mackay,, opening the case for the defence, said he was bound to admit the facts of the prosecution. The defence was that accused was net respcn.sib.le (for his ialction'pj, in words, that he was insane. Disease of the brain, had often resulted in insanity. and one form of insanity was delu-

simp iuiolhev fits of fra. was excused by the law iron, committed while Under this hv The most deadly and most freciuen. cause of insanity was alcohol, which produced violence and homicidal tendelude/-, popularly known /.< ’mad drunk.” Ms asked the jury to bring in a verdict cf not guilty on - the grounds cf insanity as the accused was not in a state to knew what he was doing. The jury’s verdict in that case would net mean that accused' would go free, but would be detained in prison or a mental hospital during the pleasure cf the Governor. (As (he Press Association failed to send the opening of the trial of Arthur Uottmann for the murder cf the McCann family at Ruahine, this journal was unable to publish it concurrently with other Press Association journals yesterday.)