MURCHISON MURDER

Grey River Argus, 2 April 1932, Page 8

MURCHISON MURDER

CONVICTION OF ACCUSED COSTLY INVESTIGATION The Murchison murder trial, in which John Thomas Smith, alias “Snowy” Rowles, aged 26, wa s charged with the wilful murder of Leslie George Brown, also known as Louis J. Carron, in the Murchison district, Wester n Australia, between May 18 and 20, 1930, was concluded at Perth on March 19. After a. retirement of two hours, the jury recorded a verdict of guilty. Asked whether he had anything to say, Smith said. “Only this. I have been guilty of a crime that has never been committed. ’ ’

Sentence of death was passed by Mr Justice Draper, The accused bore up well throughout the trial, lasting -eight days, and took the sentence quietly. When his counsel, Mr Curran finished his address Smith leaned over from the dock and said: “Thanks, Mr Curran. You have done all that could be doue for me, and -even if the verdict goes against me, you won’t find me squealing! ”

The investigation and the trial have cost the Western Australian Government about £5OOO. This includes the cost of bringing three witnesses from New Zealand. Two of these were deceased’s wife and Mr A. W. Sims, dentist of Hamilton.