RUNANGA TRAGEDY.

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 February 1918, Page 2

RUNANGA TRAGEDY.

The TRIAL OF ROGERS, THE CASE FOR THE CROWN{Per Press Association,) After we went to, press yesterday the following- evidence was taken U—■Detective.Abbott detailed liia arrest of accused in Christchurch on November loth and what took place at the police station, and the subsequent finding- of the money totalling thilb 1 19s (3d, where accused was staying. Accused was acquainted with the find, but made no reply. He was then charged with the crime. Witness gave the substance of the conversaiiop between the accused and Mrs McMahon, which was detailed in MrRaymond’s opening address. . ■' Detective Mollveney gave corroborative evidence and the Court adjourned till to-day. *. In his evidence Detective Abbott said that on November 19th accused applied in the Magistrate's Court for permission for Mrs McMahon to visit him, and war.' given permission, ,and witness made the necessary arrange* ments for the visit. Chief Detective Mcllveney warned Mrs McMahon that anything she said in connection with tilo,i case would be taken down and, if necessary usiad, She was advised not to ray anything about the case. At the interview the Chief Detective and witness were'present. After a slight pause Mrs McMahon said “Oh, Will! Did you shoot the boy, Will V s Accused replied, “1 cannot say, Maoksle, there was someone else.” Mrs MoiviiUion asked, ‘‘Why can’t you clear yourself?” Accused replied, “No,^ it’s no use; I have no chance. - got enough evidence to itahg me'six times.” Mrs McMahon saiu_ Don t talk to me about hanging, Will. know how it makes me feel.” "Accused said, “Yes, 1 know.” She asked then, “Whatever made you bring that money to our place?’ Ho replied, ”1 dont know. 1 have ■ made two mistakes. You see the position I am placed in. 1 cannot go anywhere and do anything. The police are dogging me about.” Accused then turned to witnes a .and Connolly, and said, “She knows nothing about, it at all. Later Mrs McMahon said, ”1 didn’t know that you were over there on the Coast till I got your postcard. I thought you were away down south.” To Mr. Hunter: The cloth was

partly over the pistol in the handbag at, the police station. The cloth was not wrapped evenly and carefully round the pistol- lie could see the butt of the automatic before it canV“ out of the bag. Accused was trying „• best to get it out of the bags He made no attempt to hand it out. There was one bullet in the gun ready to shoot. In cross-examination of the Chief Detective, James Moliveney, Mr. Hunter asked: Did Mrs McMahon complain that she was oemg badgered and bothered b v the police, and. croasexamined by them, and that they kept —er at the pOii.ce station till 11.30 p.m.? Detective Mcllveney; No, she appeared to he satisfied with her' treatment by the police, and said the police had been very kind to her. I don't know if she has changed her min’d since. Continuing, witness denied that any trap 2iad been set in connection with, thy interview between accused and Mrg McMahon. f TO-DAY’S EVIDENCE. AN IMPORTANT WITNESS.

CHBISTCHUBCU, This Day., Elizabeth McMahon gave evidence as to her interviews with the accused and the police, subsequent to the tragedy. Cross-examined, she said that rae watch, chain, and pendant costing i;46 ye re bought with her money. She gave accused a. rolls of notes when they went out together. The pistol produced, or one similar, wa a at the lodging in Christchurch all the time that Eggers was on the Coast. When accused left on October 23rd he had a. good bit of money, including a nig roll of notes. The pistol was bought for her by accused as she wanted to learn to shoot. She was surprised when she learned that the pistol was in the brief bag with a lot of ammunition, as she never knew Eggers to take it out, and knew it was not taken to the Coast.