HATAITAI MURDER TRIAL

Evening Star, Issue 20943, 6 November 1931, Page 8

HATAITAI MURDER TRIAL

CROWD'S CASE CONTINUED

[Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, November 6. The trial of George Errol Coats on a charge of murdering Phyllis Avis Symons was continued in tho Supremo Court this morning. Re-oxamined by the Crown Prosecutor, Dr Hector said he did not think the injuries at the back of the neck had been caused by a wrench. In his opinion the girl was alive when buried, and death occurred in tho attitude in which tho body was found. ’The mode of death was asphyxia, due Rw vomiting, which was caused either by blows on the back of the head or by being smothered by earth. Detective F. Hayhurst gave evidence relating to the finding of the body. Hayhurst said the position where the body was buried was the deepest portion of the gully. He did not think it would be possible for anyone to throw himself or herself over the tip and roach the bottom. If anyone did jump over, the marks would show on tho body. , A At this stage the judge decided to hear iu Chambers an application by counsel for the accused regarding the admissibility of certain evidence, and tho court was adjourned for this purpose. When the court resumed Detective Hayhurst said he was present when accused was charged with the murder on July 16. Detective N. Baylis also gave evidence as to the finding of tho body. He also gave details of the various routes from Adelaide road to the spot where the body was found, and the times it took to walk leisurely over these routes.