THE WAIRARAPA MURDER.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 September 1919, Page 5

THE WAIRARAPA MURDER.

STATEMENT BY ACCUSED. COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Masterton, Last Night. In the Magistrate's Court to-day, before Mr. Free, S.M., Pas. Reside was charged with having murdered Christopher Carr at Stronvar on September oth. Accused appeared in dock with his neck bandaged, and was accommodated with a chair. Apart from being somewhat pale, he showed no signs of physical distress, and listened to the evidence with apparent disinterestedness. ■Mr. R. Burridge appeared for the Crown, and Mr. 0. Pragnell for accused. Evidence was similar to that given at the inquest. Constable Lethbridge, of Wellington, who had been guarding accused at the hospital, stated that Reside asked if witness had seen the paper containing the inquest and said: "I shot the man" Witness warned him that anything he might say would be used in evidence against him. Accused then replied: "I do not care. I will say it to my dying day." Constable Penson deposed that at the hospital accused had said to him: "If I had done what I intended, 1 would be well on the other side of Jordan. That is what I ought to have done, and com pleted the job. I could not reach the trigger as the barrel of the gun was too long. 1 intended to use a bootlace, but was hustled. I then heard you coming, and used a razor." Accused when charged with murder at the hospital, made no statement. After evidence had been taken, accused pleaded not guilty and reserved his defence, and was committed for trial at the next criminal sessions of the Supreme Court at Wellington.