OHIRO FLAT TRAGEDY

Evening Star, Issue 21569, 15 November 1933, Page 8

OHIRO FLAT TRAGEDY

THE DEFENCE > ACCUSED UNDER CROSS-EXAMINATION ll’e* Utnxs Psess Association.] AVELLINGTON, November 10. Tho trial was continued to-day before the Chief Justice (Sir Michael Myers)A of George Edward James, who pleaded not guilty to a charge of murdering Mrs Cecilia Smith on Friday, June 30 at the flat which he had occupied with her and her little son, George Noel Smith, aged four, in Ohiro road. The Crown Prosecutor (Mr Macassey)j cross-examined James in the witness box for over an hour this morning.' James at times became very excitable and voluble. He said that from May, lo he only earned ICs. On May 24 he sold a machine on Mrs Smith’s behalf for £4, and subsequently borrowed £l2 for furniture. Mrs Smith received that money. After Mrs Smith had road the letter from Jowctt and found that there was nothing coming to hint from his late wife’s estate they agreed to carry on *as they were. She did not tell him she was going to park from him because he had deceived her.

Mr Macassey proceeded to deal with events leading up to the tragedy. Ha asked James what started the argument with Mrs Smith, and James replied that she started it about moneys She said he led her to believe he hadmoney when he did not. She said she was going down to see Jowett again to see how they stood. Her idea was that Rouse was concealing the true position of the estate. James disclaimed any knowledge ofwhat happened after they began to. struggle. He repeated several 'times that he did not remember anything till he came to in the hospital. Mr Macassey produced a letter found with James’s coat and hat on tho wharf, and asked if he meant the jury, to believe that he did not remember writing the letter. James said he did not recollect writing it. Before his Maker James declared he denied having made certain statements attributed to him in the record of the interview; produced by Detective-sergeant Jarrokl.-