MELBOURNE MURDER

Taranaki Daily News, 28 January 1922, Page 11

MELBOURNE MURDER

killing of little girl.

ACCUSED BEFORE COURT.

PROTEST*

l*rom early this morning there has been a stream of curious people on the way to Russell Street, writes a corres-( pondent from Melbourne, under date January ’l3. They have crowded the cable trams and footpaths in the vicinity of the City Court as though it were Labor’s great gala day, and the people were on their way to witness the eighthours’ procession. The attraction was the preliminary trial of Colin Campbell Ross, -aghd 28, the man who was alrested. yesterday, afternoon. .

Ross was charged with the murder of the little girl Alma Tirtsehke, whose dead nude body was found in a lane off Gun Alley, in the neighborhood of Little Collins Street and Exhibition Street at 6.30 on the morning of December 31.

“Call Ross,” directed the sUb-inspeetor. There was a rustle in the Court, and all eyes were turned toward the door of the ante-room, through which Ross stepped smartly into the dock. He was dressed in a dark grey tweed suit, a blue tie, and tan boots. He looked sortiewhat strained. Just before Ross had been taken to the Court 'he was interviewed by his mother, and when they parted the young man wept.

“Colin Campbell Ross,” said Sergeant Kenleyside, “you are charged with that on December 30, at Melbourne, you did murder one Alma Tirtsehke.” Ross’s face twitched, then he smiled for a moment more.

Senior-Detective Frederick Piggott entered the witness box and said:—“ln company with Senior-Detectives Brophy and Ashton, Detective Walsh, of Sydney, and other detectives, I went yesterday to Footscray, where I saw accused. He was brought ; to the detective office and questioned. Subsequently he was arrested on tbe present charge.

FACTS OF CASE OUTLINED. “The facts in connection with the case are, shortly, that a little girl, Alma Tirtsehke, who lived with her grandmother in Jolimo.pt, on December 30» was despatched to Messrs. T. K. Bennett and Woolcock’s butcher shop in Swanston Street to obtain certain articles of food and to take them, to her aunt’s in Alasonic Chambers, Collins Srcet. It will be proved that the child arrived at the shop and received her parcel. She then went away from the shop at halfpast one or thereabouts—the exact time will be proved later. She went on her way up Little Collins Street, and had been identified when passing halfway between Swanston Street and Russell Street. When about at the intersection of Russell And Little Collins Streets she was seen going apparently toward Bourke Street. She was next seen and positively identified by a woman and her daughter, who were immediately behind her. They looked at her face for certain reasons that will be given later.

“The child then went to the Eastern Arcade, and moved from the west to the east side of the arcade. While thcro Ross, or a man like accused, was standing in front of the wine shop. Accused was questioned by me on the morning of December 31, the day after the murder, and he admitted that he had seen the little girl, whom he described to me.

OTHER EVIDENCE WITHHELD. “Early on the morning of December 31,” continued witness, “Senior-Detective Brophy, in company with Senior-Con-stable Salts and others, saw the dead body of the girl in an easement running easterly off Gun Alley. Subsequently the body was taken to the morgue and identified as that of Alma Tirtsehke. “There is other evidence, which at this stage the police do not wish to disclose. I ask for a remand to this Court until January 21. When evidence is ready for the coroner’s inquest 1 will ask that accused be sent before that Court. “Ross,” said Mr. Wade, P.M., “have you any objection to a remand till the 21st?” * “Yes,” replied. Ross firmly,, “I would like some of my* witnesses to come up and prove my whereabouts on that night.” Mr. Wade. P.M.: The application is for a remand only until the 21st. It seems to me you require a remand. Ross: I don’t require a remand. There is no reason why 1 should be here. , 1 can prove my whereabouts on that night. J strongly object to a remand. 1 have got all my witnesses here. Mr. Wade, P.M.: ¥oti arc remanded until the 21st. Ross stared at the Bench, and in a loud voice said: “That’s the country’s law,” and then as he turned to leave he added: “This is a great country. There’s no doubt about it.” Immediately afterwards Constable Fleming escorted Ross from the dock. The accused man was taken through the yard of the watch-house to a door cut into the wall of the Melbourne Gaol, and was passed through into the custody of the gaol authorities. Those who hoped to get a view of the man as he passed between the Court and the watch-house were disappointed. The crowd remained in the neighborhood for an hour, but gave no trouble, and the mounted police who were available for an. emergency were not called out.