MURDER TRIAL

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 70, 24 March 1933, Page 5

MURDER TRIAL

HEARING AT KiITAIA

STATEMENTS BY AOCUSED

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

KAITAIA, Maneh 23.

• The trial of Rewi Manuel, 'charged with the murder of Hatiwira H'avikamou Bapihana, known as Hati Robson, a farmer, of Pukepoto, on January 8, was continued -today before- Mr. "^Morris, S.M., ...'.-.

Constable Thornell said he saw*, Eobson in bed in the hospital and walk told by the deceased that an old stmnaeh complaint had broken out in his .side. He did not think he had been shot,: but said if he had been it was iv his sleep. Witness went to Pukepoto and saw 1 h8 accused, who made a short statement.

Witness went outside the. house ito look for a gun. He and DetectingSergeant Robertson decided to- return to Kaitaia, taking Manuel withVthem. Just before they left Constable Buckley* found a shotgun. At Kaitaia witness^ had a conversation with the, accused..

An objection by Mr. E.-K.:.Trimmer,. counsel for the accused, 'to the eon'veTv sation being admitted at-that juncture was upheld by the Magistrate. : ■"■"■■ Constable Thornell ' said .he got" a statement • from the accused",.. aiid" to make sure that he understood it. a Maori translation was made.. -

Mr. Trimmer cross-examined;-. Constable Thornell- for the rest' of; fie afternoon. Witness said' that in the morning they had asked the accused if he wanted a solicitor. Manuel said lie wanted Mr. Kelly. The police could not get Mr. Kelly until late in•' tne afternoon. In the meantime witness took a statement from the accused. •

Jamgs Noble Berghan, an interpreter, said he had been requested to in'.erpret the statement to the accused, vho satisfied him that he understood.it.. The accused said the statement was true. The police were not -present. Witness said he did not think he knew of Eobson's death until after, the interview with the accused.

• Evidence as to the finding of ' two blood-stained cartridges outside the window of the deceased's bedroom -was given by Constable Buckley. At the rear of the house he found a double-barrelled shotgun. There was a diseharged^eat. tridge in the right barrel. After making tests with the gun witness considered, from examining the deceased's photograph, that the wound could haye, been produced by a shot fired, from the' right barrel of the gun at a distance it about 4 feet. -- ■ .... ~,\ ".

' The case was adjourned until tomorrow. ■-■'■■■■-'.