CHARGED WITH MURDER

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 98, 27 April 1932, Page 11

CHARGED WITH MURDER

TOMAHAWK TRAGEDY

PLEA OF NOT GUILTY

(By/ Telegraph.—Press Association.) DUNEDIN, 26th April.

On .a charge of murdering Findlay Douglas Buchanan at Tomahawk on SOth March,; Lewis William O'Connor ; appeared in the- Supreme Court to-day. "Mr. Justice Kennedy presided. :'. Addressing the grand jury before ..the accused was charged, his Honour . .said" there might.be evidence of con.jsumption: of much liquor by the person .accused, but they would bear in mind ;that until the contrary was proved person was presumed to intend the natural consequences of his own i act. If a man under the influence of *.llquor intended to shoot another and i.did shoot another, his drunken intent idid not make it less a crime than if ho "»:ivfire. sober. -....'

- The accused, when he was charged, not guilty

• = Counsel for both;-the Crown.and .the accused freely exercised their right of «challenge in the selection of the jury. ;:' Evidence was led to show that .-shortly after midnight on 29th March -the accused went to the deceased's -house and asked for a cigarette. The ..deceased gave him one and advised him i-.to go home, the pair parting, from all ...accounts, on good terms. Shortly afterthe accused returned and shot Buchanan when tho latter opened the door to, him. ' : Witnesses spoke of the drunken condition of the accused about the time of the occurrence. " The jury, was ■ locked up for the plight. . ' "' .'.--■ ' • /