MURDER CHARGES

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 125, 22 November 1935, Page 11

MURDER CHARGES

CASE FOR DEFENCE

DEATH OF REGINALD HOLMES

SYDNEY, November 21.

Mr. Justice Halse Rogers announced today that further consideration had not altered his opinion that the case in which John Patrick Strong and Albert Stannard are charged with the murder of Reginald Holmes should go to the jury.

The defence opened with a statement from the dock by Stannard. Stannard said that Holmes was his best friend, j and that he was Holmes's best friend. He would be the last man in the world to have anything to do with killing anyone, let alone his best friend. He knew Holmes was afraid of someone.

Haigh Barraclough, who was licensee of the hotel at which Summers, a previous witness, resided, said that on the day following the shooting Summers said to him: "It would appear I was a witness of the crime last night. I saw a car with the headlights on and a man running away. I have a fair idea of his height and build, but did not see his face." Witness said that Summers later remarked: "If I can identify this man I should get the reward. If I do get it it will assist me to get back to England."

Mrs. Enid Stannard said that she and her husband attended a theatre on the night of the shooting. They were at the theatre from 7 to 10.30 p.m., and at no time did her husband leave her side. BROTHER'S EVIDENCE. Leslie Holmes said that as far as he knew, Stannard and his brother, Reginald Holmes, were good friends right up to the time of the latter's death. Prior to his death his brother was nervous. "He told me on the Sunday night before the murder that he was frightened of Brady and his crowd," said witness. !

Strong, from the dock, declared that he had taken no part in the killing of Holmes.

Two witnesses said they had seen Strong drunk in bed on the night of the murder and had heard him snoring. Joseph Strong, uncle of the accused, said it would have been impossible for the accused to have gone out that evening without witness knowing. "He would not have been able to get down the stairs; he would have fallen down," witness added.

The hearing was adjourned