ALLEGED MURDER.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17060, 3 February 1921, Page 6

ALLEGED MURDER.

AFTERMATH OF A BEAWL. (press association teleoeam.) WELLINGTON, February 2. Tho murder trial of Frederick Thompson, of Carterton, whom it is sought to prove (responsible! for tho death of Anthony Rzoska, on November 20th, commenced at the Supreme Court today. The accused pleaded "not guilty." The facts of the evidence adduced by the Crown Prosecutor, were that on the afternoon of December 20th deceased and some companions, including the accused, had drinks together, and then proceeded to the wbare of the lastnamed. On the way Raoska attempted to pick a fight with Thompson, but after some words they went on to the latter's whare. During the conversation, an argument arose. Rzoska was hoard to ask: "Who brought you homeP" Thompson replied: "No one but myself. There must either bo some liars or some fools amongst üb, and it's not me! So it must be you, Tony." _, Deceased retorted: "If{it's me, I m quite able to stand up to it." •He then took off his coat and threw it to someone in a doorway. Thompson said: "Get out of my house." A shot was then fired, and Ezoska fell. No witness actually saw the shot fired. Rzoska made no attempt to strike Thompson before the shot was fired. A revolver was found under the whare. Deceasod,. in his dying statement, denosed that "Fred had done it. He was the man all right. It was Fred Thompson." Opening the case for the defence, Mr Putman said that Thompson had tried to avoid trouble. No weapon had been seen in his hand. Counsel suggested to the jury that, seeing a revolver lying near, Thompson had made a grab at it, and it had gone off. The hearing will be continued tomorrow.