THE TOKORIMA MURDER

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 292, 7 December 1920, Page 5

THE TOKORIMA MURDER

VERDICT OF NOT GUILTY.

PRISONER'S DELUSIONAL INSANITY. CO>fMITTED TO GAOL HOSPITAL. (By Telegraph.-Own Correspondent.) HAMILTON, this day. When William Anderson, aged about 25 years, a returned soldier, was charged before Sir Robert Stout at the Supreme Court, Hamilton, to-day, with the murder of Frederick Henry Telfer at Tokorima, near Taumarunui, on October 14, counsel for the Crown (Mr. H. D. Gillies I stated to the jury that the Crown case would be that at the time the murder was committed the prisoner was insane. The jury would be directed by his Honor to rind a verdict of "not guilty"' on the ground of insanity. The Crown did not say that the prisoner did not commit the murder, but that on account of the state of his mind at the time the crime was committed he could not be held accountabkfor his actions.

James Edward Loft, farmer at Tokorima. said that on October 14 last, at about 7 p.m., lie was sitting at tea with hie wife, four children, Telfer, and two others, when Anderson opened the winlow from the outside and said, "Here I ii'n again. Don't lie alarmed.' . He then asked for some food, which was given to him. and he ate it outside. He waa asked to enter, but refused, remarking that all the police in the country were after him, i hat he had seen their' lights, and that they were about a quarter of an hour behind. He appeared to be a little excited. He asked for an overcoat and somf food to eat on the road, and it was Riven to him. As he buttoned up the overcoat he said. "I have come here with the intention of doing two of you in, but 1 think I will only do in one." Then Anderson said, "Jim Loft, I think I will shoot you," and he ordered the others in the'room to stand to one side, remarking, , "'I am going to blow Jim'e licrht out." He then stepped half a pace back from the window and half-raised a rifle, which until this time had been concoaled.

Witness rushed from the room. When half-way through the door he heard a shot fireil. and turning round he saw a and Telfer fall to the ground. Witness then sprang through the window.

In answer to Mr. Giilies witness said there was no ill-feeling between prisoner and himself, and he knew of no reason why Anderson should want to take hie life.

His Honor: Did the prisoner say any tiling else?

Witness: When we asVed him to come into the house he said, "You don't get mc into a trap."'

In answer to further questions by hie Honor witness said that Anderson had worked for him for a time, and usually seemed as if lie were moody, thongh never desperate.

His Honor questioned witness whether Anderson consumed much liquor. Witness replied in the affirmative. When asked where Anderson g-ot the liquor witness said that Anderson told so many tales that he did not know what to believe.

Herbert Hedley Ix>ft corroborated his brother"* story. He said that Telfer. who was standing close to Anderson, made a spring to srab the rifle. Almost simultaneously the shot was fired, and Telfer fell to the floor. In answer to his Honor, witness said that Telfer did not grab the rifle. Teller only lived about three minutes after the shot was Hied. The rifle was a .303, and belonged to witness. He also gave particulars of numerous conversations, which pointed to the fact that Anderson had queer ideas.

Constable Ebbefct. who escorted, the prisoner to Taumarunui, also gave evidence ac to the strange conversations the prisoner carried on.

Medical evidence wns given by Dr. N. Murray, medical officer at Mt. Eden gaol, and Dr. H. J. Tyzar, medical officer at Avondale Mental Hospital, to the effect that the prisoner was suffering from delusional insanity. His delusions were that he was being persecuted. They had had conversations with him, and both were of the opinion that at the time he committed the murder he was

The jury, without retiring, brought in a verdict of "not guilty on th? ground of insanity.

His Honor then committed the prisouer to the gaol hospital, there to await instructions from the Minister of Justice.