DEATH OF CHILD.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 6 September 1924, Page 5

DEATH OF CHILD.

A FATHER'S CRIME

COMMITTED FOR TRIAL

tUY TELEGRAPH —PRESB ASSOCIATION.) AUCKLAND, Sept. 5. The hearing of the evidence against Harry Joseph Peters, alias Keogh, aged 43. who was charged at the Police Court with the murder of his baby, Desmond Collins Peters, on August 5, by cutting his throat, was concluded yesterday. Detective Robertson -deposed that he saw the accused at the detective office at 5 p.m. on the day of the tragedy. H-e asked the accused what was the matter. The accused wanted the witness to take his statement, and after it was typed out he read it through. He. said it was true and signed it. On the bottom of the statement he wrote “I bitterly regret the whole .affair.” John Fitzgerald, sergeant of police, stationed at Freeman’s Bay, said he knew the accused. On August- 5 last at- about 3.45 p.m. witness received a message from the city watcliliouse, and in consequence he went to Franklin Road. He met Mrs Peters, who was carrying the dead body. The accused was sitting in a chair in the kitchen and seemed greatly agitated. Witness asked Peters why lie caused all tlie trouble, and he said: “I wanted to commit- suicide, but the child was too good to leave behind.” Accused said he had killed the child with a. knife. Witness took the accused to the police station, where he made a remark about Desmond and his sister being taken to church to be. baptised, and that he (the accused) had completed the baptism before he killed the baby.

Mr Mouatt: “Did Mrs Peters tell you that her husband was mentally wrong?” “No, I don’t remember her saying that. She saw me on July 31, and complained about him drinking.” Accused pleaded not guilty, reserved his defence, and was committed for trial.