GREY LYNN MYSTERY

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 300, 13 September 1921, Page 6

GREY LYNN MYSTERY

THE MURDER OF FRANCIS JEW CORONER CONTINUES HIS INQUIRY > MEDICAL EVIDENCE By Telegraph —Press Association. . Auckland, September 12. The inquest in connection with the death of Francis Edward Jew, who was found murdered at Grey Lynn on July 17, was resumed before Mr. M'Kean, S.M. (Coroner), to-day. There are over 50 witnesses; and it is expected the inquiry will last three days. Jew attended a football match on the Saturday afternoon, and was seen on the Saturday evening in the vicinity of where his dead body was found, but his movements after 8 o'clock are still shrouded in mystery. Mr. Meredith is representing the police, and Mr. Prendergast is. watching proceedings on behalf of Thomas M'Mahon. Circumstances Outlined. In outlining the circumstances, Mr. Meredith said that exhaustive inquiries had been made, 1500 people being interviewed by the police. The result of the inquiries had not justified the police in taking definite stSps against any individual. Indications pointed bo a fatal ‘assault committed on tho spot where tne body was found, though there were no signs of a struggle. Jew received his wages (£4 10s. 6d.) on Saturday. He waa known to have £1 on the previous even- ( ing. He had spoken about some bets on horse racing—one on Saturday, which might have involved the payment of £3 —but the police were unable to ascertain who he made the bets with. It bad been ascertained that on the Saturday afternoon. Jew, Thomas M'Mahon and one Newdick had a drink at an hotel, and then M'Mahon produced a bottle of champagne, and that Jew and the two Newdicks subsequently had a drink at another hotel, and Jew went on to Newdick’s factory-in Grey Lynn. Alf. Jew, who was a particular friend of the deceased, called at the stable at 6.30 p.mto invite Jew to tea, but Jew had left. He was seen about that time under the influence of liquor. Ho asked a companion named M'Gregor to wait till Tom M'Mahon came, as tho latter had a bottle of champagne. M'Mahon arrived with tho champagne. M'Gregor left them at 6.45 o'clock. Jew and M'Mahon got Oil a tram. Evidently they got off at Ariki .Street, and started to walk back towards Grey. Lynn. They met three lads, M'Mahon bought two pies, and tho party went into the doorway ot a shop and drank the champagne. . Jew got sick, and wanted to go to sleep. The three lads left M'Mahon and Jew in thei doorway a little after 7 p-m. About 7.30 Mr. Dunn saw two men about the vacant section, but coiild not identify them, but their relative heights corresponded with Jew anjl M'Mahon. A lady saw a man, whom she took jx> be Jew, on the opposite si do from the vacant section at 7.50 p.m. That was as far as they could trace Jew’s movements. Dr. Shaw expressed the opinion that death had been caused by a blow from a blunt instrument before midnight on the Saturday. John Jew, brother of deceased, gave evidence that M'Mahon told him he was with deceased and a man named M'Gregor on the Saturday night, and that deceased left him to board a city-bound car. Witness asked whether ho saw deceased iretul'n Lynn, nnd M'Mahon replied that he did not. Injuries Described.

Dr.- Murray testified that about 12.30 p.m. on July 17 he examined the body of deceased on d section at Grey Lynn. The body was on. its back, and inclined to the left, the‘left arm being outstretched. Witness minutely described the attitude and appearance of the body and clothing. Describing the injuries, witness stated that the bone of the nose and the upper and lower jaws were broken. There was a gash to the bone ; in the upper part of the forehead. Two wounds, also bone deep, were over the right ear, one of them having fractured the bone. The head was resting in a pool of blood that had soaked into the ground, having come from the ears and wounds. Post-mortem rigidity was well marked, and had come from tne back. The wounds were not self-in-flicted. ' . , To Mr. Meredith: There was no sign of a struggle at the spot. From the small amount of blood on the overcoat which was found, witness would conclude that the coat had been placed over the y° ua J man’s legs after he had fallen. Death had occurred not longer than twenty 'hours before he saw the body, and not less than twelve hours. . Counsel: Then you think that death must have occurred at least before midnight, arid not earlier than 4 p.m. the previous day ? AVitness: Yes. r Questions About Timo.

Among the other witnesses was Stuart Alfred Smith, a professional fighter, who said'he lived at the 1 AA'hangarei Hotel AVhangarei, but in July last was living at Vine’s, in Symonds Street. He was with a man named Prosser on July 17 last, training with him. They left Prossers house in Great North Road, Grey Lynn, at about 10 o’clock on Sunday for a spin along the road, and returned along Arch Hill Gully and over a hill. Witness then described the finding of the body of deceased with a piece of board lying near i.t. “I was at Prosser’s house the night before, and we went to the pictures/' ho caid. ,f We all le-ft the house at about 7 o’clock, 1 think. 1 returned home with the Proseers; we came out of the pictures about 9 o'clock, and went straight home. AA 7 e hail beefi in a v picture theatre opposite the Strand. , Mr. Meredith: What was the picture you saw? AVitness:.Some Italian picture, I think.. Did yog see the end of that picture? ■ "No.” , „ Did you see the beginning?— No. Then where did you go?—"Across to the Strand, and we could not get in.” And then?—"We strolled down the road to Court’s and got the tram.” AVhen you went to catch the tram at Grey Lynn did you see a man under the influence of liquor?—"We, thought he was; he was sitting on a box and looking half asleep." How close were you to him?'-''About 25 feet."

What time did you finally leave Prosser's to go home? —"About 11.” AVhere did you catch the tram?—"At tho same place.” Did you Iknow deceased before?— "No." A number of other witnesses were examined at length, and the inquiry was adjourned till to-morrow.