SHOOTING MYSTERY DEEPENS

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 169, 12 April 1930, Page 12

SHOOTING MYSTERY DEEPENS

WAS WALTER PRICE MURDERED? EVIDENCE OF DOCTORS CONFLICTS CORONER COMMENTS ON SON’S ATTITUDE Dominion Special Service. ’ Palmerston North, April 11. Important evidence was heard when, after an adjournment of a week, the inquest on the circumstances surrounding the death of Walter Edwin Price, the Palmerston North builder, who was found dead in his bedroom on March 5, was resumed before Mr. J. L. Stout, S.M., to-day, but a solution of what has grown into one of the most complicated cases ever known In the Dominion still seems distant. Two doctors called by Mr. McGregor, who is acting for the relatives of deceased, who are of the opinion that Price was murdered, attacked the suicide theory advanced by six doctors last week. A feature was the significant comment by the Coroner regarding the part played by John Price, deceased’s son, in the tragedy. -He stated that there was a certain amount of suspicion about John Price’s evidence. Mrs. Price, who was absent at the time of her husband’s death, was unable to attend the court to give evidence, and after hearing a doctor’s report the Coroner intimated that the inquest might be adjourned until she would speak. The doctor stated that there was no reason why she should not leave her bed except that she would not. „ The case was adjourned until to-morrow, when John Price may be recalled and examined again.

“Since last week I, have had two doctors carefully peruse the evidence given by Drs. King and Wylie, and they entirely disagree with this evidence,” said Mr. McGregor, who is appearing for the family of deceased, this morning before the first witness was called. “It would be much better if Mr. J. W. B. Price would tell all the truth —so far as I can gather he isn’t doing so,” commented the Coroner in granting the application to have these two doctors called as witnesses. Guy Brogden, a carpenter, employed by the late Walter Price, stated that he had been working with his employer at the rear of premises at 69 Featherston Street for three or four days. He had been working there on the .morning Price’s dead body vras found. John Price and Mr. Nagel came over to him and told him that Price was dead. He went into the house and rang Dr. King. No conversation took place while they awaited the arrival of the doctor. Senior-Detective Quirke: What was the condition of John? —“He was crying slightly after we rang the doctor.” When the doctor arrived they followed him into the house. John Price did not go into his father’s bedroom. The body was in full view except for the head under the bed. “It seemed to me that he had both arms outstretched, but I could not swear to it,” said witness, in reply to a question from the Coroner. The Coroner: Have you been approached by anyone connected with this case? — "Only by the police, the solicitors, and Price’s brothers.” Detective Quirke: Weren’t you approached by Mr. McGregor?—“Yes.” Detective Quirke: Well, he’s connected with this case. Witness asked the doctor the cause of death, and he replied: Haemorrhage from an ulcer on the stomach.” Witness went home and changed, and when he returned Constable Compton was there. Detective Quirke: Did John give you a list of relations to whom he wanted telegrams sent?—“Yes.” Was there any statement as to how his mother would be left as a result of the death?—“Yes, he asked me, How do you think mother will get on?’ I said, ‘I don’t think you need worry.’ And be said, “There is an insurance paper in there. I wonder if it’s paid up?’ I replied, ‘Ob, I think so, John’.” What happened then?—“He asked me to go in and have a look. I went in, and he got the paper and showed it to me and I saw it was a builder’s risk.” To the Coroner: This after I had gone home and dressed after a quarter past nine. Witness stated that he then went into the post office and wired Price’s relations, and on returning found John Price at Nagel’s. In reply to a question from the Coroner. witness stated that he telephoned the post office from the house before nine o’clock and told them to send a wire to Price’s wife. Continuing, witness stated that when the undertaker arrived all but John Price had gone over to Price’s. Accident Recalled. Questioned regarding injuries received by Price in a motor accident some time before his death, witness could not inform the Court whether as a result Price’s left arm had been affected and he could not lift heavy weights with it. “He was not the sort of man who would make an enemy who would come and murder him in cold blood in his sleep?” asked the coroner. “No,” was the reply. “That seems to be the suggestion of John Price,” commented the coroner. Mr. McGregor: You were working with Price for three or four days prior to his death?—“Yes.” What was his demeanour?—“Ho was cheerful and joking, as usual.” Do you know of any motive why he should commit suicide? —“No.” It was the last thing you would think of him? —“Yes.” Adolphe Ihle, a workmate of deceased, stated that Price was a very reserved man. Witness had never heard him speak ill of any one, nor anyone of him. Witness gave evidence regarding a conversation on the footpath outside Price’s house while the doctor was inside. “The doctor came out, and I said to John Price, ‘What about letting your relatives know?’ said witness. “I asked him if he knew their addresses, and he said ‘Yes,’ and went in and wrote them out. When he camo out he handed the addresses to Mr. Brogden, and said, ‘What about the insurance?”’ Detective Quirke: What was the demeanour of John Price at this time? “He didn’t seem very upset.” Would you say he was cool, calm, and collected ? —“Yes.” Garage Door Open. Witness described the position of Price’s body as it was when the undertaker arrived. The left arm was stretched straight out and away from the body, while the right hand was slightly clenched. There had been no indications of a struggle, and he would say Price had died where he was found. Leonard Charles Lee, a milkman, who had delivered milk regularly at Price’s for some time prior to the tragedy, stated that he called at Price’s house at a little alter 6 a.m. on the morning the body was found. He could not say whether the back door was open, and had not. seen anyone about. Detective Quirke: Did you notice anything unusual? Witness: I noticed the garage door was wide open, and the car was there with the box in the back sticking out. I had never seen the car in the snme position before.” George McGregor, the solicitor who is acting for deceased’s family, stated that he hnd acted for Price for the pnst five years. Deceased hnd transacted a considerable amount of business. In October of last year Price was approached by an A.M.P. Insurance Company canvasser. and witness advised him to take out a policy. Price hnd mentioned ns reasons for his taking out a policy his recent accident and the fact that he was travelling about in his car so much . Financial Position. Mr. McGregor then gave evidence regarding Price’s financial position, particulars of which the coroner requested the Press not to publish. Witness estimated deceased’s estate at £4OOO, not including insurance policies . His operations had been quite successful, and lie was making about £GOQ a

Examined by Detective Quirke, witness admitted that Price had had little ready money,’and was in debt, but he had never been pressed by creditors. Witness stated that his position never worried Price. To Mr. Cooper (representing A.M.P. Society) witness admitted that Price had an overdraft at the bank, and had a very small working margin. While in the box vzitness was permitted to give evidence; on another matter. “The first I knew of there having been any violence in connection with the death was about 3 o’clock in the afternoon of Wednesday, March 5,” he said. “At about 11 or 11.30 a.m. I received a wire from Mrs. Price from Wanganui askin'' me to make arrangements for the funeral, and asking the cause of death. Before lunch that day I was down twice at Nagel’s seeing John Price. Before 3 o’clock that afternoon I saw the undertaker, and he said something about a wound in the corner of the lip. Questioned by Detective Quirke, witness stated that the undertaker had suggested that Price’s death bad been caused by some corrosive poison. He had seen John Price later, but had not given him any indication of what the undertaker had said. Widow’s Silence.

Dr. Hunter-Will was called to show reason why Mrs. Price, who has been in bed since her arrival back at Palmerston North after the tragedy, should not appear. “SlTe is in a state of silence,” he The Coroner: What is the difficulty? The son is in a state of silence, too. Can you find anything wrong with her? — “No.” „ . , The doctor added that Mrs. Price’s condition might be caused by shock and worry. The Coroner: Worry that something conies out. that she does not want to! Dr. Will: When I went there this morning she said she was worrying about her son. The Coroner: She needn’t worry about him. We have a suspicion at th 6 present time that he knows more than he has said. “We don’t want this to turn into another Elsie Walker case, you know,” commented the Coroner. “We may have to adjourn the case until she does talk.” Dr. Will: There is no reason why she shouldn’t get up. She won’t get up. The Coroner: Well, she should. I don’t suggest that John Price hasn’t told the truth, but 1 think there certainly is a suspicion from his attitude and the way he gave his evidence that he hasn’t told us all he knows. If the boy is holding anything back his mother should use her influence on him. I don’t want to distress her, but it is my duty to get to the bottom of the matter. Mr. McGregor: I think she is worried by the suspicion that is thrown on the boy.

The Coroner: Well, I must take the doctor’s evidence that she 'cannot appear to-day, but I cannot say that I won’t call her.

Dr. Will: She is weak, and for a long time she wouldn’t eat, and she The Coroner: I don’t think that state is caused through shock at her husband’s death, doctor. It’s not our fault that a certain amount of suspicion rests on the boy. William Kells, the undertaker, who removed Price’s body from the bedroom, in describing the position of the body, stated that the left arm was resting on its elbow, and extended upright. He had tied Price’s hands together with a towel to get the body into the coffin, and when he had released them they had resumed their original position—the left arm sticking up into the air. Detective Quirke: If Mr. Brogden, two policemen, and myself said the arms were reversed, what would you say? Witness: I wouldn’t change my opinion for fifty policemen I “If they are all right the man must have been playing semaphore," observed the coroner after listening to further evidence regarding the position of the arms. Cry In the Night. Recalled by Mr. McGregor, George Hancox, director of the Palmerston North Technical School, and a neighbour of Price’s, stated that he had the impression that the cry which he heard in the early hours of Wednesday morning, had followed the report of the gun. The coroner: When did you suddenly discover this shriek? Why didn’t you give it to us before? Did you mention it to the police?—“No.” How did Mr. McGrego’r get it? Why did you net tell the police? Have you discussed your evidence with Mr. McGregor since? —“Yes.” “We are not here to see whether they get the insurance or not. We arc here to clear up this tragedy,” commented the coroner in telling witness he had no right to give Mr. McGregor, who was only representing one interest, information that he did not give the police. “Mr. Wilson was definite that a few seconds/elapsed between the shot and the cry, and the cry came second,” stated the coroner. “Would you deny that?” Witness: No 1 Richard Simpson Robinson, a cabinetmaker. who helped to put Price’s body into the coffin, testified that the right arm had been bent from the elbow and the left arm had been parallel to the side. He had absolutely no doubt about this. New Insurance Policy. Cyril Ennis, the district manager of the A.M.P. Insurance .Society, stated that in ’December last Price had taken out two £lOOO policies will) the society and another £lOOO policy on February 12 hist, and gave the Court particulars of the Eric Compton stated that on the morning of the tragedy he had gone to Price’s house in response to a call. “I had a talk to I lie boy about his father’s health during the previous few weeks.” said the constable: “During the talk the boy said he would not be going back to school. I asked him why, and he said, ‘You see, Dad’s dead.’ I said. ‘That won’t make any difference. Y’ou’ll need the schooling.’ But he said, ‘You see, he was insured for a good amount. Mum will get the insurance and I won’t need to go back to school.’ ” Senior-Detective Quirke: What was his demeanour? Witness: Very quiet and calm. Regarding the position of the arms, witness stated that (lie left arm was bent at. the elbow, the hand pointing upwards and outward, while the right arm was straight, but a few inches from the body He* also saw no signs of a struggle. _ P?oss-examincd, witness was posiUW

of the position of the arms. The back of the hand had not been touching the floor. Constable James Haldane Beaton, who accompanied Dr. King to deceased's residence at about 5.35 p.m. on the day of the tragedy, stated that he had asked John Price, “How many guns are there in the house?” John had replied, “There is one gun in the house.” “Where is it?” said witness, and he said, “In the garage.” “We w’ent into the garage and there was a pea-rifle standing in the corner,’ said the constable. “It was dusty and had an empty cylinder in it. The doctor had said that that wouldn’t do it. Witness detailed his inquiries and continued: “I asked John Price if he had planted the gun, and, if he had, to get it as it would save a lot of trouble. He said he had shifted no gun or heard no shot fired. I also had a conversation with him about a man in Russia who allegedly killed his child and John, said, I don t think he did it at all.” “I said let’s have a look at your pyjamas,” continued witness.. “He took a suit from underneath his pillow and just as I started to examine it he said, ‘Oh, I sometimes scratch myself and it bleeds.’ I said, ‘What makes you do that?’ He said, ‘Pimples.’ I had a look at his face as there were some pimples on it.” _ . Boy’s Pyjamas.

Recalled by Mr. McGregor, Dr. ixing stated that it was the wound m the corner of the mouth that first drew his attention to Price’s fractured skull. He considered that the gun had been firea within six inches of deceased s head. Mr McGregor: “Could deceased have given* a spasmodic or convulsive movemeat after the shot which caused his death?” Witness: “Yes.” Could he have cried out?— xc... How long after?—“l conldn t «^P reas an opinion on that. It could not be com du ted in seconds.” ♦ , 1 Dr. King and five other medical men conferred for some time m the Court demonstrating with a .shotgun, and Detective Russell, who laid full length on the floor of the Court. “The wound described by Dr. King could quite well have been homicidal, being inflicted at close range while deceased was lying on his right side, his head supported by a pillow, stated Dr. John Miller. “He might have been asleep. After being shot he could have fallen over on his back. The stimulus of toe shock would be sufficient to . cause ,. a ffi ®"V; den spasm. It would have been difficult for deceased to inflict the wound hunselt bv lying on his back on the floor. Hie medical evidence assumes , that deceased was shot while lying on his back. . The suicide places the gun muzzle in Ins mouth for the following reasons—to make sure he won’t live after, the shot, to steady the gun, and to bring the trigger more - into his reach. If the gun slipped out of his mouth the trigger would be more inaccessible. . Point to Homicide. “I consider the surrounding circumstances point to homicide.” added the witness. “It would be a very unusual crime, as murder is usually a' crime of piassion, observed the Coroner. “There was no sign of a struggle.” Witness: There would be no struggle if lie was shot. The Coroner: I should be very sorry to hear it was homicide, as there was only one other person in the house. The Coroner: There is another point you haven’t considered, Dr. Miller: Would a man who comes to murder another withdraw half the charge from the cartridge? Witness: Is there evidence to show that?” Detective Quirke: There is the evidence of an expert. The Coroner: Do you suggest that, a man came in and selected the most inexposed portion of his victim, his head, to fire nt? —“Not at all.” The Coroner: The wound could have been homicidal, that is granted, but in view of other circumstances, was it? Witness: That is really nothing to do with me. The Coroner: But it has a lot to do with me. Witness: I’m only giving expert evidence. Mr. Cooper; The whole of your assumption is that he was lying on his right side? —“Yes, and asleep.” The Coroner: You see, you put him in a position he wasn’t found in. Dr. King’s theory is founded on the position in which he was found. “My opinion is that it would be almost impossible for a man to commit suicide in that position, and that Dr. Miller’s theory of homicide is possible.” said Dr. Robert James Boyd, another medical practitioner called by Mr. McGregor. Detective Quirke: What does the presence of a blanket without a pillow or mattress suggest to you? The doctor: A very hard bod. Don’t you think it an extraordinary way to find a person?—“Not if he is used to it.”

Assuming your homicide theory is correct. can yoii explain to me why a man should pass over a body to fire .at a head? —“Because it is the best place to shoot him, isn’t it?” Don’t you know as a medical man that the mouth is tlie likely place for a suicide to fire at? —“I don’t know how he was shot. I'm only suggesting how he might have been shot.” Detective Quirke: Well, if you don’t know how he was shot, you don't know anything about it. At this stage the Court adjourned until to-morrow, the Coroner intimating that Drs. King and Wilson would then have an opportunity of attacking the theory of Drs. Milleg and Boyd,