MURDER CHARGE.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18182, 19 September 1924, Page 13

MURDER CHARGE.

GIRL TUCKERMAN'S DEATH. NEWSAGENT TO STAND TRIAL. (BY CABLE—f2ESS ASSOCIATION—COPTBIGHT) (ATJSTBAIJAx' AND K.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Received September 18th, 7.55 p.m.) MELBOURNE, September IS. The inquest ended sensationally and resulted in Thomas James Cheshire, newsagent-, of Caulficld, aged »-> years, being committed for trial on a charge of murdering Ireno Tuckerman, whoso mutilated body was l'ouud in a sack near her home. Bail was allowed in sureties of £IOOO. Cheshire was ono of tho persons mentioned yesterday whom tho police brought before tho Coroner as witnesses.

A sister of the dead girl gave evidence that she and Ireno frequently visited Cheshire's shop to buy papers. A tramway driver testified that ho saw a man and a girl, whom ho identified as Cheshire and Irene, alight from his tram at St.. Ivilda. on the day Irene disappeared. . Detective Piugott detailed a visit to Cheshire's sliop, at the back ol which was n cubicle where Cheshire slept. On a vug he found hairs to which he d r ew Cheshire's notice, also a quantity of rope similar to that found round Irene's body. Cheshire admitted knowing Irene, but denied that she ever took charge of his shop. He made a statement regarding his movements on the dav the cirl disappeared, to the eifect that- he was away from the shop for only short periods. Later, at. the detective office. Detective Piggott informed Cheshire that he had been identified by two men as having been with the sirl on the day of her disappearance, and away from his shop. The detective told him he would he subpoenaed to the Coroner's Court, but warned him not to do anything foolish in the meantime. Cheshire replied: "i will uot. I will face it. I am innocent.' Before his committal Cheshire, on the advice of counsel, declined to giyo evidence at the present stage of tae case.