Cartridge focus in Thomas inquiry

Press, 10 June 1980, Page 6

Cartridge focus in Thomas inquiry

PA Auckland A Royal Commission of Inquiry into the convictions of Arthur Allan Thomas, which began in Auckland yesterday, will spend more than three weeks probing a single item of evidence.

This was the time esti-i mated by counsel assisting the commission (Mr I-J., C. I Keyte). for considering the part played by a .22 calibre shell cartridge in the two convictions of Thomas forr the murder of Jeanette and Harvey Crewe.

Mr Keyte said he proposed; to \ call 50 witnesses on the; cartridge, said to have been fopnd by the police on the; Crewe property’ at Pukekawa : after the discovery of the double murder on June 22, i 1970. '

The cartridge labelled “exhibit 350” in the Thomas trials was agreed, on the basis of scientific evidence, to have come from a Browning rifle owned by Thomas, said Mr Keyte. It was claimed to have contained one of the fatal bullets allegedly fired by him. But it. was .also the subject of a major allegation of impropriety: that it had been “planted,” . either by the police or others with the pre-

:sumed purpose of “framing” Thomas for the crime. I The allegation came under the first of the commission’s ; terms of reference and would therefore be dealt with first in the course of the inquiry. The commission, which sat

for only three hours before being adjourned until tomorrow morning, is headed by a former Chief Justice of New South Wales, Mr Justice Taylor. With him are the former Anglican Archbishop of New Zealand, the Most

Rev. A. H. Johnston, and the former Minister of Labour, Mr J. B. Gordon. Representing Mr Thomas; are Mr P. A. Williams, assis-i ted by Mr R. K. Ryan. The police are represented by Mr J. S. Henry, assisted by Mri R. Fisher, and the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research by Mr R. P. Smellie. assisted by Mr D. Schnauer. Mr M. Crew is assisting Mr Keyte. i

Opening the inquiry, Mr IKeyte . said it had been 10 [years almost to the day that I the Crewe murders were disi covered. 1 It was “one of the most puzzling and bizarre and certainly the most controversial t crime in this country's history,” he said. j For many many people the HO years since had brought 'shock, uncertainty, controversy and great unhappiness, said Mr Keyte—“from the moment that New Zealanders were first startled by news of the discovery of a bloodspattered home, an unattended child and her missing parents, Mr and Mrs Crewe.” When the hearing began there were 25 people in the public gallery, including Mr Thomas and his father.

Also present were the Commissioner of Police (Mr R. J. Walton) the Auckland regional C. 1.8. head (Chief Superintendant B. Wilkinson), and Detective Sergeant S. M. H. Keith.