MANUNUI TRAGEDY

Evening Star, Issue 25700, 25 January 1946, Page 7

MANUNUI TRAGEDY

AGGUSED TQ STAND TRIAL FOR MURDER (P.A.) TAUMARUNUI. Jan. 24. The hearing of the charges of murder of his wife and of Massey Amundsen, at Manunui, against Ivan Manford Kahu was concluded to-day before justices of the peace, the accused being committed for trial at Hamilton on February 4. Detective-sergeant Henry Alexander Hay, of Wanganui, said that he had read to the accused a note written m hospital by Mrs Kahu. Witness asked the accused if he recognised the handwriting, and he replied he thought ho could, but maybe under mental stress it had altered a bit. Witness next told the accused that Massey Amundsen had died, and asked if the accused knew liovv he got his injuries, but he replied that he did not want to commit himself. Later witness told the accused that*'Mrs Kahu had died, and that he would be charged with her murder. Tears welled in the accused's eves, but he did not make any comment. Witness asked the accused if he understood, and lie replied that he did. Detective Louis Belmont Vasta corroborated the former police evidence, and added that at the Taumnrunui lock-up the accused said, " Keep single men away, i 'They might shoot me or do me in. Yoii understand what I mean." The accused added: "I have committed a sin and must pay for it. i>ven if it means 20 years."