ARGUING FOR HIS LIFE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3997, 30 July 1913, Page 5

ARGUING FOR HIS LIFE.

THE ST. IVES MURDER. BROWN CONDUCTS HIS OWN DEFENCE. CONTENDS SHOOTING WAS ACCIDENTAL. CUNITED RREBS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT] (Received July 29, 8.30 P- ra -) SYDNEY, July 29. The trial of Edwin Brown for nun - dering Sergeant Hickey at St. Ives is proceeding. ■ . . Brown, backed by many law books and documents, argued tliat the whole affair was the outcome of malice because during legal proceedings regarding his property extending over several years he had taken proceedings against people in high positions. He also argued in support of his contention that the shooting was accidental. . The Judge was frequently compelled to interupt him. [Police Sergeant Edwin Hickey and Constable Barclay went to St. Ives, 12 miles from Sydney, to serve two committment warrants upon Thomas Edwin Brown, an orcliardist, aged 00. They found Brown at the foot of ms orchard. When ho learned their business, he invited the officers to come into his house. The trio walked there chatting amicably and Brown led the officers to the dinmg-roomxzh led the officers to the siting-room. Then, turning round, he asked them what they meant by coming to his house, and ordered them out. Constable Barclay told him to consider himself under arrest. Members of the family then entered the room. Constable Barclay attempted to seize Brown, and Sergeant Hickey .pimped towards Brown and almost touched him when three shots ranp out in quick succession and a fourth a little later. Hickey collapsed immediately with three 'bullets in his stomach. The fourth bullet struck Brown’s son in the wrist. Hickev died on the way to the hospital. Brown has been attracting considerable public attention of late years, owing to his peisistent appearance at the Supreme Court and other courts as a litigant. He filed affidavits on various occasions alleging corruption among the judicial’v, law officers, and a nunibei of high officials. Sergeant Hu key was a native of New South Vales, anti was 52 years of age. He joined the service in 18S1. and was generally well liked and tactful, and very highly esteemed by his superior officers.]