COURT NEWS

Grey River Argus, 27 April 1932, Page 5

COURT NEWS

MURDER CHARGE Tomahawk Case (Per Press Association). DUNEDIN, April 20 The criminal sittings of the Supreme Court commenced to-day before Mr Justice Kennedy. There wore only two cases on the list, one of theft of public money, and one of murder. Addressing the grand jury on the murder charge, His Honor said that there might be evidence of the consumption of much liquor by the person accused, but they would bear in mind that, until the contrary was piroved, every person was presumed to intend the natural consequences of his own act. If a man under the influence of liq uor intended to shoot another, and did shoot another his drunken intent did not Tnak/> it less a crime than ir he was suber.

Edward Hughes was charges cvirli stealing sums of money totalling £l3O °s lid the property of the Ne w Zealand Government, and also with failing to furnish returns of money entrusted 1<» him to collect on three occasions. He pleaded guilty to all charges, was remanded till Thursday for son fence.

Lewis William O’Connor was charged with the murder of Findlay Douglas Buchanan at Tomahawk on March 80. Accused pleaded not guilty. Counsel for both the Crown and the accused freely exercised their right of challenge in the selection of the jury Evidence was led to'" show that, shortly mid-night, on March 29. ccused went to deceased’s house and asked for a cigarette Deceased gave him one and advised him to go home, they parting from nil accounts, on good terms. Shortly afterwards accused returned and shot Buchanan when the latter opened tho door to him. Witnesses spoke of the drunken condition of the accused about the time of the occurrence. The case will be continued and probably concluded tomorrow. The jury was locked up for the night. TRUST MONEY IRREGULARITY. AUCKLAND, Ap'ril 20. A nominal fine of £5 was imposed to-day on an Auckland solicitor for a technical breach of' the Law Practi tioners’ Act, 1931. He had failed to hold trust moneys exclusively in a separate trust account. Counsel for th v Law Society saifi that the audit revealed that all the funds were in order. Some of those who had money in the trust account had actually been paid too much. The Society considered that some disciplinary action should be taken.