MARINES' DEATHS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 11, 14 January 1943, Page 6

MARINES' DEATHS

MURDER CHARGES HITCH OVER WITNESSES (P.A.) WELLINGTON, this day. Objection to the taking of the evidence of Crown witnesses against John Sidney Crawrorci, aged 26. seaman, on two charges of murder and two of attempted murder, was made by his counsel, Mr. W. J. Stacey, in the Magistrate's Court to-day. The magistrate, Mr. J. L. Stout, stood the case down till later in the day while he considered the objection. The charges arose from a shooting affray on the morning on January 7. Crawford was charged with murdering Sydney S. Sparrow and Elmer Geti, "two United States marines, and attempting to murder Hazel Josephine Salmon and Constable Thomas William Hies. There was a large crowd in court. Mr. Stacey said he understood that the Crown proposed to have the case partly heard by presenting the evidence of three seamen. He had received his instructions only on Tuesday, and had received intimation of the lines of the evidence to be given by the seamen, who were to give very material evidence. One was alleged" to have actually seen the shooting of one of the marines. Counsel said he was not in a position. and would not be in a position for two or three weeks, to crossexamine the seamen. Change Of Venue Referring to the newspaper reports of the case, Mr. Stacey said one paper had gone so far as to report a previous conviction of the accused. Consideration was now being given to what action might be instituted against the paper, and it might involve a change of venue. He understood that the Crown witnesses to be called to-day had to leave the country in their ship, but that could not be the only ship on the ocean, and the interests of the accused had to be considered. He suggested that the witnesses could be held and employed on another ship, as it was absolutely impossible for him to. proceed with the cross-examination today. The Crown Prosecutor, Mr. W. H. Cunningham, said that three of the Crown witnesses were serving in the Merchant Navy. Counsel for the accused was supplied yesterday afternoon, as soon as he (Mr. Cunningham) was able to do it, with the substance of the evidence to be given to-day. The only other person present during the happenings from which these charges arose, appeared to have been the accused himself, and so far as the cross-examination of the seamen was concerned, counsel should have been able to be fully instructed now. He (Mr. Cunningham) knew of no provision by which the seamen could be detained from .their essential duties on their ships. He was ready' to give every possible help to the accused in his defence, but it seemed to him that the evidence should be taken to-day. The seamen might or might not be present at the Supreme Court trial, which would take place either at the February or May session. Magistrate's Comment The magistrate asked whether the evidence could be taken early next week. If counsel got his instructions only yesterday it would be reasonable to give him some time if that could be done. Accused knew what he had done. Mr. Stacey said the statement that accused knew what. he. rhadi done might be contrary .to tact. There was evidence, which might even contradict the outline of the evidence he had received. The magistrate said 'that as the case was of some importance, the seamen might be held. It was a murder charge and, although capital punishment had been done away with, there was still life sentence to be considered. It seemed l possible to change the witnesses with other seamen, and hold them here. . Later Mr. Stout remanded the accused till 2 p.m. to-morrow to enable further consideration of the question whether the three witnesses could be kept in New Zealand.