FATHER IN DOCK

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 39, 15 February 1945, Page 6

FATHER IN DOCK

MURDER CHARGE

DEATH OF CHILDREN

p-A_ NELSON, this day. The gallery of the Nelson Magistrate's Court was well filled this morning when Alan Stuart James, aged 33, orchardist, was charged with the murder of his four children —Alan Murray Stuart James, aged six month; Berwyn Christine Stuart James, aged three years; Corran Stuart James, aged five years, and Eleanor Mary Stuart James, aged seven years—and the attempted murder of his wife, Marjory Eleanor S J3IHGS. The charges were the sequel to the tragedy at Tasman on November 13 of last year, when the accused s four children were found dead, ana his wife in a seriously injured condition. Mr. T. E. Maunsell, S.M., is presiding. . _ The Crown prosecutor is Mr. C. K. Fell and the accused is represented by Mr. W. V. Rout. Evidence of Neighbour Frank James Alack, an orchardist of Tasman, said he had known Jaines for 20 years and considered him a normal, decent sort of man. ine accused's house was about 200 yat ds from his. He saw James on the morning of November 13 when they discussed orchard work. Th~ accused then seemed in his usual spirits. In the evening about 8 o'clock witness was outside his house and heard quite a powerful sound like a dull thud coming from the direction of the accused's house. He put it down to accused's children being more noisy than usual. It was approximately 7.45 p.m. The thudding noise was repeated. Witness went inside to join his wife and shortly afterwards, perhaps five minutes, there was a noise at the front door. Witness went to the door and in the failing light he saw a female figure in white and shoeless. The' upper part of her body was covered in blood. He was thrown off his balance, and did not recognise her. She said: ' See what Alan hd to me," and something about thQ children. He took her inside and sat her in a chair. He noticed that she had a broken arm. Conversation With Accused Witness communicated with a doctor and the police. He did not know what state James was m, ana; did not like leaving his wife, so rang for a neighbour. Then witness telephone rang and James himself spoke, and he wanted to know whether his wife was at witness place. He said he had done a most terrible thing—he had shot all his kiddies. The accused said he would come over, but witness said, no ne would go over. He said tol James. "No firearms. Two can play that game." James said: "No, I promise you there will be no firearms. lam perfectly sane." (Proceeding.)