GUTTERIDGE CASE

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 27 April 1928, Page 9

GUTTERIDGE CASE

SENSATIONAL MURDER TRIAL. THE CLIMAX REACHED. ACCUSED MAN’S STATEMENT. (UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION—BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH—COPYRIGHT.) (AUSTRALIAN PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Received 2.20 p.m to-day. LONDON, April 26.

Tin* climax in the Gutteridge case was leached when Kennedy, speaking from the dock in a clear, firm voice, accused Browne of the murder. Amplifying a statement made previously, he said: “I had not the slightest idea on the night of the murder that Browne was carrying a revolver. The first I knew of it was when two shots were fired when Gutteridge was questioning as. I said: ‘My God, what have you dene?’ Drown© replied : ‘Get out of the car.’ I helped to pull the policeman to the hedge, and before I could get Browne away two more shots were fired. I was terrified. Browne was in an absolutely mad irenzy. He was in such a state of mental agitation that lie did not really know wliat he was doing. The automatic found in my possession was given me by Browne. L intended to go to Africa, where the revolver would be useful in the wilds. On the night of my arrest at Liverpool I intended to take the revolver and lose it, in fear that my wife might become implicated. It was in an overcoat pocket when Inspector Alattinson seized me from behind. there was a click, but it was made by the muzzle striking on a button. It was only- intended to bluff him. I never said: ‘Stand back, Bill, or I’ll shoot.' I can only express my deepest regret to Mrs. Gutteridge that I should have been in the car on the night of the murder.”

Browne did not remove his eyes from Kennedy throughout the statement. Browne’s counsel, addressing the jury, described Kennedy’s statement as a hysterical romance, and Kennedy as a liar.

The Judge wil Isum up to-morrow