Murder Alleged: Evidence In Chertsey Case

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 April 1949, Page 2

Murder Alleged: Evidence In Chertsey Case

(P.A.) ASHBURTON, This Day. Charged with the murder of Brian O’Connor, a 68-year-old enginedriver at Chertsey, on March 18, Samuel Arthur Protherde, a farmer, aged 41, appeared in the Magistrate’s Court before Mr E. A. Lee, S.M., today. A further charge of assaulting O’Connoi' so as to cause actual bodily harm was withdrawn by leave of the court. Sir Arthur Donnelly, of Christchurch, prosecuted, and Mr D, W. Russell, of Christchurch, with him Mr V. AV. Russell, of Ashburton, appeared for the accused.

Police Evidence

The first witness, Sergeant J. B. Kearton, police photographer, said he went to the hut belonging to O’Connor and found it in a state of disorder. Firewood, clothing, sacks, and kitchen utensils were piled on the floor. Looking at the bunk, he saw portion of a human face. Nothing was disturbed and the hut was locked till the following morning. He then returned with Dr Pearson, pathologist. After photographs were taken, the articles were removed and the naked body of a man revealed in the bunk. The body appeared to be badly bruised. Witness produced photographs showing extensive bruising on the entire length of each side of the body. On the upper part of the trunk and at the back of the head there were numerous spots of candlegrease. One window of the hut was broken and witness examined the spot where a chrysanthemum was torn from the garden. To Sir Arthur Donnelly, witness said that on the floor alongside the bunk was a blue shirt with a badlytorn sleeve turned inside out. The cuffs were still fastened as though the shirt had been pulled off. It was blood-stained.

Multiple Injuries Dr A. B. Pearson, pathologist at the Christchurch Public Hospital, said there were blocks of wood on the body and these had bloodstains on them. In his opinion the cause of death was shock due to multiple injuries. These could have been caused by’violence, such as blows, kicks or some by a fall. All the injuries could not have been caused by one fall. The nature of the injuries suggested that they were caused by repeated violence. ’William Hunt, a war pensioner, of Tinwald, said he met the accused in Christchurch on Friday, March 18, and they went to the Chertsey Hotel, where they met O’Connor, who invited them to his hut. Witness carried a gallon of beer to the hut. There, he and O’Connor had a beer each and witness went back to the hotel to get the accused, who had -stayed behind. When he arrived back the accused said to O’Connor: “You nevei’ shouted for me.” Witness Left The Hut ■ Witness said he saw there was going to be an argument and so he walked out. The argument had only started when he left. A chair was knocked over as he was leaving. When he left the hut, the accused and O’Connor were standing up arguing. Witness went as far as the. corner of the hut, but he heard nothing inside. An unknown man arrived with three bottles of beer and said he had come to shout for Brian. Witness received a lift home in a passing car.