IS KILLING MURDER?

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 205, 30 August 1926, Page 7

IS KILLING MURDER?

QUESTION FOR W.A. JURY. A STRANGE DEFENCE. "THE GUN WENT OFF." (By Cable.—Press Association. —Copyright.) PERTH, August 29. Counsel for accused (Mr. Haynes, K.C.J, continued his address to the jury in the Kalgoorlie murder case. He gavo Tretfene's version of the shooting. The detectives Walsh and Pitman were watching Treffene, who was working alone. The officers were expecting a mate of Treffene to come along as the tracks of motor cars were visible in the vicinity. Eventually Treffene left the plant, carrying a ehotgun over his shoulder and a bar of gold in his left hand. He proceeded down the bush track. The detectives then called out "Hold on Phil! We want you!"

Treffeno began to run away and the detectives gave chase. When the police were close to him, Treffene stumbled and nearly fell. He made a grab for the gun, which went % off. Treffene dropped the gun and then noticed Pitman in the act of falling. Walsh, too, staggered and fell to the ground— evidently shot through the jugular vein. Pitman had been shot in the eye. Treffene got Waleh a drink of water.

Pitman meanwhile ceased breathing. Treffene went to get something to staunch Walsh's bleeding, but on his return he found him dead.

Clarke (the Crown witness), came along later and persuaded Treffene not to tell the police, as Treffene desired to do.

The trio returned to Boulder. Clarke went to the plant the came night, and next morning told Treffene he had tried to burn the bodies, but could not manage it, so had to cut them up. (A. and N.Z).