MURDER CHARGES

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 94, 15 January 1943, Page 3

MURDER CHARGES

Terrace Gardens Affray REMAND TILL TODAY John Sidney Crawford, a South African seaman, aged 20, appeared before Nir. Stout, S.M., in the Magistrates’ Court, Wellington, yesterday, on two charges of murder and two ot attempted murder. Au objection to a partial hearing was raised by Mr. AV. J. Stacey, counsel for accused, who said be had only received on the previous day an outline ot the evidence to be given by the witnesses. After an adjournment for consideration of tbe position, the case was called again, and accused was remanded till 2 p.m. today. ’ . The charges arose from a sbootuia affray at Terrace Gardens, Wellington, in the early morning hours of January 7. Crawford was charged with murdering Sydney S. Sparrow and Elmer William Geti, two United States marines, and with attempting to murder Hazel Josephine Salmon and Constable Thomas William Illes. Mr. Stacey said he understood that the Crown proposed to have the case partly heard (hat day by calling three seamen. It. was a week since the occurrence, and counsel had only received Ins instructions on Tuesday. The evidence of the three seamen witnesses, he said, was very material; one was alleged actually to have seen the shooting. Counsel would not be in a position for two or three weeks to cross-examine these witnesses. 'This was a major case, and, under the circumstances, the defence of accused might be prejudiced. Counsel also said that there had been newspaper reports on the case, and reference had been made by one to a previous conviction. It was now under consideration as to whjit “Ctmn should to instituted, and it might entail a change of venue. , j Mr W. 11. Cunningham, who appeared for the Crown, said that counsel for accused had been supplied on the previous afternoon with the substance of the evidence of the witnesses it was proposed to call. He knew of no reason why the men could be detained from essential duties in their ship. They were probably irreplTheW magistrate said accused knew exactly what hd had done. However, as counsel bad only received ins at 4 p.m. ° n the previous day, it would be reasonable to give him some time. Mr. Stacey said the statement that accused knew what he had done might to contrary to fact. There was evidence which might contradict the alleged out line of the evidence he had received. The magistrate said it did seem that as the case was one of some importance the seamen might be held. It was a murder charge, and though capital punishment had been done away with, there was still a life sentence to be considered. It seemed possible to exchange the witnesses for other seamen and hold tbeur were adjourned for an hour, and when the Court resumed Mr. Cunningham intimated that he had tuted inquiries with a view to possibly detaining the witnesses in New Zealand. The Crown was anxious to do that, but at that juncture lie could not say whether it would be possible. If accused was remanded till 2 p.m. on the following day, Mr. Cunningham said be would know the position by then. A remand was granted.