SHOT AT SENTRY BOX

Evening Star, Issue 25169, 8 May 1944, Page 2

SHOT AT SENTRY BOX

U.S. SERVICEMAN'S DEATH MURDER CHARGE AGAINST N.Z. SOLDIER (P.A.) AUCKLAND, May 8. Indicted that, at Papakura camp on March 6, he murdered an American serviceman by shooting him with a rifle, a New Zealand soldier, Thomas Rex Beagle, aged 19, stood trial to-day before Mr Justice Fair. The trial was the sequel to the finding of a United States corporal, aged 25, who had been stationed at an American camp at Opahtlke dead in .front of a sentry box at Papakura camp after the accused had been on sentry duty there'. Mr Meredith, Crown Prosecutor, and Mr Williams conducted the Crown case, and Mr A. L. Tompkins, of Hamilton, and Mr G. H. Wallace appeared for the accused

Opening the case, Mr Meredith recounted the law respecting the second count of manslaughter against accused, pointing out that a charge could be reduced to manslaughter only if the person indicted had been given such grave provocation as to cause him to lose his self-control. Counsel then outlined the evidence on the lines given in the lower court, stating that Beagle was one of a guard on a petrol dump at Papakura camp, who had been on leave from February 28, and was due on duty at the camp at 4 p.m. on March 3. He did. not turn up at ;that time. It would be shown that Beagle and the American who was eu bsequently found dead had been drinking together in Papakura •hotels. Testimony would be given that Beagle wanted to fight the other man and' slapped his face following a suggestion by the American of homo-sexual relations between them. It would be shown that the American apologised and persisted in trying to make friends. They had been arguing about two hours before being reconciled. Shortly after 7 p.m. Beagle and the American arrived at the camp, and Beagle went to get his. equipment to go on guard. The American accompanied iim to the sentry box. Soon afterwards a shot was heard, and Beagle came back and said: "The Yank's been shot." The American was found dead at a sentry box witli a bullet wound in his chest, and a discharged Cartridge was taken from Beagle's rifle. He was put under arrest. It would be deposed that the American again made art improper suggestion to Beagle when.he was on duty, and persisted in it so that he shot'him. When under arrest, Beagle told a mate that a mark on his wrist was caused when he was a boy, and had to fight a man who had made the same suggestion to him.

Sir Meredith concluded tht before Beagle and the American went'to the sentry box, the accused had made tho startling statement that he was " going to shoot the Yank."