CHARGE OF MURDER

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 384, 9 May 1910, Page 2

CHARGE OF MURDER

POWELKA O'N' TRIAL. COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. By Telegraph—Press Association. Palmerston North, May 7. The charge of the wilful murder of the late Sergeant Maguire preferred against Powelka was continued in the S.M. Court this morning.

The evidence of the first two witnesses, Constables King and McLeod, referred particularly to the chase after Powelka among the Pahiatua hills. Donald Dinnie, finger print expert, swore to the finger prints on the bottle found at Slattery's. The right finger impression was much clearer than the others. He photographed and enlarged the right finger print, which he found identical with the right finger iiTvprint. In connection with the High School fire, the characteristic prints on the ibottle are identical with those of the right impression in the High School case. ' There were also identical characteristics in the impressions on the glass from Perry's Longbum •store. (• ./ i , t Constable Gallagher, from whose custody Powelka escaped at Wellington, described the arrest of the fugitive in a loft at Ashhurst, in which Constable Thompson also' participated. Powelka was lying in the straw with a revolver in his hand. Thompson caught nold. of his wrist 'and wrenched the revolver from him. Powelka was then 'hand-! cuffed and £o the station. On the wa'y lii Powelka asked witness if he thought he/my a 3 a' coward; "if so, take these (handcuffs) off and I'll show] yon." Tluffity'son at the same timej Mked: nVijo-/hot, 7 ,p00r Maguire?" Powelka replied 'to k the latter ipiestion with "Wlio fired the first shot? You."

Powelka at this stage ejaculated excitedly, "Liar." He rose from his *eat in the speaking more calmly, said: "Your,' Worship, lie's a liar."

Gallagher, continued his evidence, which. QOKerM ilie \rticles found upon Powelka.," \ >n f.. Const.ajflg ''/lrpmfmon gave corroborative ev«e? •'"'

Evidence was given bv several other witnesses, including Detective Oassells, who .produced a key found on Powelka, together witji. ~t|ie lock of Mrs. Farlond's 'back door, which the kev locked am 1 unlocked. ■ ■; The defence was reserved, and' accused was committed for trial in the Supreme Court. 1 • jm > *