THE KATOOMBA MURDER.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 May 1917, Page 6

THE KATOOMBA MURDER.

CANDID CONFESSION OF CRIME, A TERRIBLE STORY. Sydney, April IS. Through the cable service renders have been informed of the terrible, confessions made by the two Shaw boys relative to the murder at Katoomba, a holiday resort in the Blue Mountains, of Mr. George King, a 'Melbourne commercial traveller, 011 the night of April 1. Some further particulars of the ghastly business ma,\' ; however, be of interest, for in some aspects the murder is almost unique in the annals of crime. Here we have a man butchered in cold blood by a youth who coveted a diamond ring owned by the dead man, with, apparently, the full cognisance of his twin brother, and after the murder the youth made practically no attempt to conceal | his guilt, but hurried away home to Sydney to tell his "mother what he had done! The thing is almost unbelievable. It turns nil the common ideas about [criminal impulse and the deterrent effect of punishment upside down.

The brothers. Herbert: Keith Shaw and T-ionol Philip Shaw, are twins, mho live with their parents in I'addington. Sydney. They are nineteen years old and clerks by occupation, the first-named, who figures most conspicuously in the story, being employed by a well-known firm of solicitors in the city. They were regarded as very decent lads, and were certainly well-behaved,, of good appearance and address, and popular. During Ma;': li they went for a holiday to Katoomlia, staying at "The California," one pf the numerous boarding establishments in the locality. On March 13 Mr. King arrived at the same house, and during the ensuing fortnight became acquainted with the young Sha.ws, who seemed to have been very well liked by everyone staying at the place. On the night of April 1 Keith Shaw entered the deceased's room with a hammer, battered bis bead in, stole the ring and «ome money, joined his brother in an adjoining room and went to sleep. Early next morning he engaged a motorcar and was driven to Sydney, and war. arrested while entering his parents' house. Ho made no excuse?, but taking ]>cn, ink, and paper sat down and wrote oi\t for the detectives a full account of what he had done. This is iwhat he wrote:--

''During the last three weeks I have been ro?idhi£j fit 'The California,' Katoomba. willi my brother Lionel, whore Ave have been spending holidays. Oil Saturday last I noticed a diamond ring 011 Mr. King's finger, and gradually a keen desire to own same crept over me. After tea last night a longing for this ring overcame every part of mv mind, and the idea of taking his life did not seem in any way an obstacle to obtaining it. This thought, together with the idea of carrying out: this operation, ruled supreme in my brain. Knowing that the said Mr. King was going out, I also .rtvent for a walk to put in the time. I Iwent asleep accidentally in the Katnomba , Reserve, and when T woke up it was about half-past three this morning. I then came back to the house, ami went ialong to do as my mind willed. I opened I 'the door of Mr. King's room with absolute pleasure, and walked straight over to the bed and dealt him seven or eight ■blows, with no more conscience than if

.[ had beeri serving tennis balls. I was fearless of anybody seeing me. I left the door open, and took no heed of his fries, which I believe awoke all within hearing. I then took the ring otf his hand, which was then covered with blood, and, after so doing, was about to depart with light spirits. "As I was about to Walk out a voice, as from the deep, eame from a rather stout gentleman in the next room. The words were, 'What's your game?' And then he was silent once more. However, he made another idea come into my then amused mind, an idea, to be romantic. So I tied a couple of 'blankets together and sat on the window fdr t vo or three minutes, thinking if there was anything else I might do. The next thing that crossed my mind was money, so down I hopped and looked for same. Having found three notes, each for one pound, I seemed satisfied then, and jumped clean out of the window, ignoring my previously made means of descent. I landed all right), after escaping with a very slight scratch on the right hand, 4'hich was caused l>y a pieco of wire fencing round a small garden underneath. I passed another .window on my'way, and e.vpected to hear and see something from someone or other occupying the room to which the window belonged. My next move was to take a walk as far as 'Sans Souci,' another boarding establishment a'bout one hundred yards from 'The California.' Outside this plane I deposited the hammer which 1 bad used. I also threw a little bank-note case, which- I got witif the notes, to the iwind. "On returning to the house to go to bed an idea seized me.to.hide the ring for fear of losing it, so I just lifted up a. little earth near the front gate and covered the ring up. . Then I went to my room, and, on opening the door, found one —Mrs. Alexander —speaking to my brother Lionel., with one of the windows which adjoins her room to our's open. She then saw me come in, and told me that there had 'been a fight in the next room. I might mention that lier room was between Mr. King's and my own. I then got undressed and went asleep. At about six this morning I w&s roused by the. party that was about to leave for the eavc"?. Not feeling sleepy, I got up and decided to go for a walk to Echo Point. After going half way I began to think of what I had done, so I thought I would go and see my mother before the police took any action. I knew there was enough evidence in: the room of the crime to convict me, and so I engaged a car from a Mr. Cropley, of Waratah Street, to take me. I was eager for the trip, as I thought I might never get the chance of one again. So I enjoyed it. On the way down I thought of calling Mrs. 'Hutchinson and asking lier advice. She advised, me to go at once to the police, of which organisation I found two respectable members at my home in Pad.dington. To end up, I will say that I remembered leaving a grey bow and a, handkerchief in Mr., King's room. This is all T have to say in the matter." Meanwihle the brother Lionel had been arrested at Katoomba. He, too, made a statement to tho police. The gist of this is that he heard King scream and knew his brother was doing something. When Keith eame into the, bedroom he told him to go to bed, and in the morning recommended him to go and get a car and go home. The accused stand committed for trial. The question to be determined is, of course, the actual part played by Lionel Shaw in the murder. It is not alleged i!iat he accompanied Keith into the room of doatltf. but that he knew the murder was to be committed, was conscious of the crime being in progress, and aided and abetted its committal. , It is an amassing ease. The lads entered the court at the preliminary hearing yestordav, smilingly whispering to one another, and nodding cheerfully to friends.