TRAGEDY AT QUEANBEYAN.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 31, 6 February 1905, Page 6

TRAGEDY AT QUEANBEYAN.

YODTH MURDERS HIS STEP-FATHEEL BY BLOWING HIS BRAIKS OUT. QUEANBEYAN (N.S.W.), January 30. Frank Cottom, a youth about 2i years of age, murdered his step-father in a bloodthirsty manner on Saturday night. Recently a quarrel occurred bet-ween Cottom and Ms step-father, Jack Coppin, and the bad feeling has continued since. On Saturday night, when Coppin went home, they again quarrelled, and Cottom blew his step-father's brains out with a shot-gun. Cottom, when arrested!, merely said: "My poor old grey-foaired mother!" The inquest was held this afternoon. Mr F. P. Woodward appeared on behalf of accused, and Senior-&rgeant Willis conducted the prosecution. Isabella Cottom stated that sbe resided at Irishtown, Qneanbeyan. Francis Cottom, her son, and the deceased, John Coppin, resided with her. On Saturday night she went out for an hour or two, and, in returning, retired to bed. About 20 minutes later deceased entered her room, and demanded aai explanation about something. Witness said she had nothing to explain. Thereupon deceased ill-used her, and she called out for Frank. Deceased replied: "I will knock bis brains out!" and picked up a brick that was lying by the door. Witness made a rush for accused's room. Coppin followed, and was at the door when there was, a flash, and the report of a gun. She did not-sec Frank until several minutes later, when she exclaimed: "My God! What have you done?" "I did it all for your sake!" he said; and witness replied: "Yes, had you not done it he would have bashed your brains out!" In cross-examination by Sergeant Willis, witness burst into sobs, exclaiming, "God help my son! I don't care for anyone by my son, w-Lo fought for mc. I don't know that Frank fired the shot, so I shall not swear it."

Continuing, witness said that deceased had lived with her for 15 years, and they had not latterly been on friendly terms. She believed accused had threatened to shoot deceased previonsly. Dr. Biehardson deposed teat Coppin had died of gunshot wounds in the head.

Join Ford, a ]ai»ourer. stated that Mrs Cottoni called for him about 1 o'clock last. Sunday morning. She said, "Prank has shot John, and I want help!" Witness had iieard two shots. He accompanied Mrs Cottom, and on arrival at her house, saw accused, who said he was waiting for the police to arrive. He did not express regret. "I have been working for 12 years to try to keep the house together, and it's come to this at last!" he said, codding: "I meant only to shoot him in the legs!"

Senior-constable Willis said that accused had make a confession of the crime to Mm.

Several other witnesses gave evidence, and the inquiry was adjourned.