MOTU RIVER MURDER

Evening Star, Issue 17923, 20 March 1922, Page 2

MOTU RIVER MURDER

At the murder trial, of Ruteno Topi at Gisborno en Saturday, ; Tisdall, gunsmith, of Rotorua, undor cross-examination, said ho could not say to what type of cartridge the No. 5 shot found in Zambukka belonged. _No. 5 shot was not a popular size in New Zealand: Detective M'Leod said he obtained a statement from the accused. Counsel for the accused objected, saying the statements were replies to a cross examination through an interpreter. Probably the accused'gave lying answers. The judge held the statements to be in order.

Constable No a.! deposed that when Peeti, the accused's brother, was arrested ho (Peeti) said it was through the actions of other people that ho was in this trouble. Matenga gave evidence vhat the accused told him in gaol that he shot Zambukka, stole £163 and his watch, and planted the body. The accused told him that his brother had turned on him. Witness received no information about the case except from the accused. To counsel for the accused : In his own case the judge had not believed him He admitted that at eighteen ye: rs old he was sent to gaol for ten years on a conviction of rape, and afterwards sent to gaol for two years for indecent .assault. Subsequently he got one month for theft, and was now serving a term of three, years for assault.