CAMP TRAGEDY

Evening Star, Issue 25170, 9 May 1944, Page 4

CAMP TRAGEDY

U.S. SERVICEMAN SHOT N.Z. SOLDIER CHARGED WITH MURDER (P.A.) AUCKLAND, May 8. Hearing was continued in the Supreme Court of the ease in which Thomas Rex Beagle,, a New Zealand soldier, aged 19, was charged before Mr Justice Fair with the murder of an American serviceman by shooting him with.a rifle. The trial was the sequol to the finding of a Untied States corporal, aged 25, who had been stationed at an American camp at Opaheke, dead in front of a sentry box at Papakura camp after the accused "toad been on senuy duty there. Mr Meredith, Crown Prosecutor, and Mr Williams conducted the Crown case, and Mr A. L. Tompkins, of Hamilton, and Mr G. li. Wallace appeared for the accused. After Mr Meredith had opened for the Crown, two American soldiers gave evidence of seeing the accused and the deceased drinking in an hotel. George Stanley Tyson, a cook, said he had known the accused previously, and he saw him in an hotel afc 4 p.m. He heard the American make an improper suggestion to the accused, who resented it, and asked the American to go outside, apparently for a fight. Witness said he heard the American frankly admit having made a suggestioa to tho accused. Uobert John Valleiy said he had been corporal in charge of the dump guard on March 3, the accused being one of eight men. Each man was issued with live rounds of live ammunition. Some time previously Beagle's ammunition was taken from him on account of his having fifed a shot, which he claimed was,. accidental. Beagle was on leave until 4 p.m. on March 3, but when he did not turn up another man carried on. Witness relieved him, and about 6.40 p.m. he saw Beagie and an American approaching the dump. Witness followed Beagle into the gus!rd hut, and he introduced the American. They seemed to be quite friendly and quite sober. Witness returned to tho n.c.o.'s hut, and on leaving it a little later he saw Beagle standing in the roadway. " He was alone, and as I passed he 6aid: ' I am going to shoot this Tank.' but I took no notice, as I thought he was joking." said witness. "As I walked on Beagle called: 'I say, Joe, where'e the amnio?' meaning the ammunition. I replied that he would find it somewhere. Beagle was holding his rifle with the magazine open, and I could see that there was no ammunition in it." Witness said he proceeded to the canteen, and was recalled about 25 minutes later. On going over to the guardhouse he saw Beagle approaching with his rifle. Beagle said, "I've done it,".and then surrendered his rifle. Opening the bolt, witness saw an empty cartridge fall out. Proceeding to the sentry box, he saw the body of an American soldier huddled face downward on the ground. He recognised it as the man whom Beagle had brought to the camp. Witness had taken ammunition from Beagle on one occasion, as he considered him unfit to have it. TO-DAY'S EVIDENCE. AUCKLAND, May 9. Robert John Valleiy, corporal in" charge of the dump guard at Papakura camp, cross-examined to-day, said he did not think from Beagle's appearance that he had been drinking. The American may have been drinking, but was not drunk. , Just before going on duty, Beagle, while holding his rifle, said, " I'm going to shoot this Yank." . . . Private James Edwards said that about 20 minutes after Beagle and ,the Anie'rican had left, he heard a shot, and went towards the beat. He met Beagle, who said, "The Yank's been shot." They, got the corporal and reported ,tG' the provost, and Seagle, who was asked to surrender his rifle,' was taken in charge by the provost. After the American's body was found, Beagle seemed rather dazed. ,