THE DUNCAN MURDER.

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 October 1916, Page 5

THE DUNCAN MURDER.

h TRIAL O?*ACCUSED. •SENSATION IN COURT. [AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION ) SYDNEY, October 18. Roland Kennedy and Frank Franz were cnarged with the ..murder of Constable Duncan, cabled on September Stir. , 1 Kennedy created a sensation by pleading guilty and afterwards withdrawing the idea. The Crown Solicitor stated that there was abundant evidence to prove the crime was the result of the I.W.W. doctrines, which circulated the conn: try. Both the accused were members. FURTHER DETAILS 0 ? F THE CRIME. Evidence at the trial showed that Constable Duncan’s death was the outcome of his arresting a memtx?r the 1.W.W., and bis intention to arrest Ronald Kennedy on a charge of abusive language in connection theie■ with. '

Franz gave evidence that after peeing the constable about the threatene » summons," Ronald Kennedy said: “The police have stopped us,” and arranged the shooting. He threatened to shoot Franz unless he participated. Counsel explained that the charge against. Michael Kennedy would be taken later. . UU ' ACCUSED SENTENCED TO DEATH SYDNEY, October 19. Kennedy and Franz were found guilty of the murder of Constable Duncan and were sentenced to death. Constable Duncan wasi found shot dead at the Tottenham police stationThere were indications that, he was engaged in typewriting when he was killed. The police offered a reward of £2OO for evidence relating to the murder, and three arrests: were made. All the suspected men were members of the I-TV AY. Michael Kennedy was a constable stationed at. Wellington for 18 months. He resigned and. became prominent at Waihi during the strike. After several officials were arrested he was elected president of the Miners’ Union, aind subsequently had to seek police protection when he was escorted out of town. ... C