TAIHAPE MURDER

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 23, 28 January 1924, Page 6

TAIHAPE MURDER

MOGHAN COMMITTED FOR ; TRIAL THE CORONER'S VERDICT. . * (cX TELEGRAPH.—PEESS ASSOCIATION.) TAIHAPE, 26th January. Anthony Moghan, charged with having murdered Gordon John Geinmell at Taihape on 2nd January, has been committed for trial. in the course of the Magistrate's Court hearing of the charge, Dr. J. A. Hurley, Government Bacteriologist in charge of . the laboratory at Wellington Hospital, said that on 7th January he. received from Constable King two shirts, a pair Of trousers with braces, a, ■blanket, a pair of socks, and a pair of boots. He also received a letter from - Sergeant Matthewg with- a request to examine the articles for blood staias and ascertain 'if such blood was human blood. He ex!plained to Constable King that the time lie wanted the articles in was too short, that for a thorough examination a month would be necessary, but there was a chance of getting it within two or three weeks. The; reason for this was'that'it required a month to prepare the amount of material necessary for the examination. He examined the articles submitted for blood and found it on all except th 6 boots. The boots would require longer to examine.. An examination of the blanket for human blood the test showed that it was present. He had not enough material to finish the other articles. These would probably be ready to report on in a fortnight. He had the exhibits with him. but would require them to complete the tests. ." To Inspector Fouhy: The exhibits included a wisp of hair. There was no evidence to show that it was not human hair.; It was not possible- to swear that it was human hair, for some do*s even cows, had hair like human hair; but to t.ie best of his .knowledge it was human hair. ■ ! ■ - • ■ This concluded the case for the prosecution. ' • Moghan was asked to stand up and make a statement- if he wished, but he had nothing io say. Mr- Hussev asked if Moghan would be sent to Wellington Gaol to await. i trial, so that accused could be near Ms : connsel. Inspector Fouhy objected on behalf of the police owing to the extra expense. -Mr. Hussey: I will as k the Department to transfer accused to Wellington. - ' ■ ° tl,Tf he tlStir n t diaiT MaSisfcrate agreed that the best courss would be to send Moghan to Wanganoi Gad. It, remains wh ♦» f" -n De Partme»> to decide whether he will remain there or be sent to Wellington. »^ SS' atl Magistrate: Accused is committed to the next sitting of Wanganui Supreme Court for trinl, on the Coroner s verdict. M?i. J'tt P< ,A' dlidge> Coroner, who sat saVtf fßf," Ch With ilr- Watson, SM