THE LIVERPOOL TRAGEDY

Evening Star, Issue 21093, 4 May 1932, Page 9

THE LIVERPOOL TRAGEDY

CORONER’S INQUIRY STATEMENT BY ACCUSED Pres* Anociation —By Telegraph—Copyright. SYDNEY, May 3. The Coroner (Mr P. S. Poolaman) opened an inquiry into the deaths of Frank Wilkinson and Dorothy Denzel, tho victims of the Liverpool tragedy. A surging crowd tried in vain to gain admission to the court. William Moxley is held in custody on a charge of murdering the victims. Medical evidence disclosed that Wilkinson was shot in the back of the head at close range. His skull was in fragments, and gun wads and seventytwo pellets of shot were extracted. Miss Denzel’s head was also frightfully injured by a shot fired from the same position. She was also violated, apparently by force, before her death. ■ A statement signed by Moxley was read, in the course of which ho admitted having como upon the couple sitting on the grass at Strathfield golf links, with their sports car nearby. Moxley was then driving a truck. He wanted money, and he decided to challenge Wilkinson, who replied that he had only seven shillings. Miss Denzel placed her hand in Wilkinson’s pocket, extracted the money, and handed it to Moxley, who decided to steal their car, as his own truck was hard to start. He compelled the couple, at the point of a gun which he possessed, to get into the car, saying he was going to take them away. Without warning Wilkinson attacked him, and a good fight ensued. The girl seemed terrified, but never squealed. Moxley added: “I must have got in first, and I tied Wilkinson’s hands behind his back. I made them get into tho car, and I drove them to Liverpool. There we had another fight. I don’t remember what happened, as my'mind was afterwards a blank. I never saw these people before, and I regret having done them any harm. lam very sorry. My own father was shot in the head and died, and my brother was also shot dead. When I was nineteen years old 1 was discharged by the Children’s Court. 1 firmly believe that what happened was fated to happen. Two years ago I was shot through the head, and nearly lost my life by doing a service to the public. lam unable to control my temper. The only explanation I can make is that I unconsciously did this thing, because I suffer with pains in the head.” Replying to police questions, Moxley said that no one else was with him on the night of; the tragedy. Detective Bowie gave evidence that some years ago Moxley, who was known by the police, was shot in the head by two men, who were charged with this crime and acquitted. Considerable evidence was given in regard to Moxley’s movements before and after the Liverpool crime, and in regard to exhibits discovered at his home and at the spots where tho victims were buried. Tho case was adjourned.