TODAY'S EVIDENCE
WEAPON AND AMMUNITION
(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)
PALMEESTON N., This Day.
The hearing of the charge of murder against Norman Robert Decke was continued this morning.
Dr. Charles Hector, Wellington, gave lengthy detailed evidence regarding microscopical examination of numerous exhibits connected with the case, including a Walther .22 rifle, also sheila and ammunition, and the bullets taken from the body of the deceased. The witness said his conclusions were that a bullet from the chest of the deceased and also a scrap from the left forearm were western .22 long rifle ammunition. Two bullets found on the roadside had grooves consistent with their being fired from the suspect rifle. The evidence was not sufficient to prove that all the bullets were fired from the suspect rifle, but it did not preclude th« possibility that they were. An examination of the rifle showed a characteristic injury on the rim of the firing chamber and three shells and a live cartridgo found at tho scene of the tragedy showed certain, marks which corresponded exactly -with the injury on the rim of the chamber.
Dr. Hector, continuing, said the identical groove marks were found on shells picked up near the accused's whare and on all test shells from the suspect rifle. Witness had not found the same marks on any other shells. His conclusion was that the shells found near the accused's whare and those found at the scene of the tragedy were all from the suspect rifle. On 7th September witness examined an overcoat of the deceased, particularly a black mark on the surface of the sleeve. From scrapings of that part he obtained powder grains very similar if not identical with powder obtained from the long rifle cartridge.
Frederick Worley, Professor of Chemistry at Auckland University, gave evidence in agreement with the conclusions of Dr. Hector, whose photographs and other work he had examined. The investigation by Dr. Hector had been remarkably thorough.
Sydney Tisdall, director of a firm of gunsmiths, also gave evidence regarding certain tests carried out in conjunction with Dr. Hector, : '■•
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19311113.2.85.2
Bibliographic details
Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 117, 13 November 1931, Page 8
Word Count
344TODAY'S EVIDENCE Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 117, 13 November 1931, Page 8
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