MURDER CHARGE

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 149, 18 March 1924, Page 8

MURDER CHARGE

THE MAKARAKA OUTRAGE SCOTT STANDS TRIAL AT GISBORNE A PLEA OF NOT GUILTY Bv Telegraph—Press Association. Gisborne, March 17. The trial commenced at the Supreme Court to-day of Robert Henry Scott on a charge of murdering Gwendoline Catherine Murray, 12 years ox age, at Makartika, on January 28. Scott, it will be remembered, was arrested at Matawai, 50 miles from Gisborne, two days after the niuruer. Ho went to a. settler’s home and asked that tho police be communicated with. In a statement made to the police on that occasion accused admitted that lie had interfered with the girl and held her down by the throat. When the girl did not answer ho realised what he had done and lied. In tho statement he said that ho had not been told, but he seemed to know the girl was dead, and that he fully realised the enormity of the crime lie had committed. . . . In the Court tins morning Scott, m a firm tone, pleaded not guilty. Evidence on tho lines of that given in the lower Court was submitted. Medical evidence was given to the effect that the girl had been, outraged On tihe right-hand side of her check were five marks lining downwards, and on tho left side was a large triangular abrasion. These marks were consistent with a powerful left-hand grip. The cause of death was st. angulaA°Tolaea Bay sheepfarmer said that he picked up accused in his car on January 28 as witness was coming to Gisborne from the coast. He brought accused to town. Other witnesses stated that a man resembling accused was seen walking out towards Makaraka on the morning of January 28. A local sheepfarmer said lie picked up accused when he was walking out to Makaraka and gave him a lift in his car Accused said he had no money to get to Motuhora, Where he expected to obtain work so witness gave him some. Further evidence was given that accused was seen in the Makaraka Hotel at about noon on January 28. He then started to walk back to Gisborne, being picked up by a car and taken to the outskirts _of the town. Witnesses said that prisoner was in the Masonic Hotel bar at Gisborne between 5 and 6 o’clock, ana later a man resembling prisoner was seen at about 8 o’clock on the way to Makaraket again. -. , The hearing will he continued tomorrow. ;