SEVEN-YEAR-OLD CRIME

Hawera Star, Volume L, 28 November 1930, Page 5

SEVEN-YEAR-OLD CRIME

aged man denies killing WRONGFUL FLOGGING RECALLED THREE REVOLVER’S IN HOUSE (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright.) MELBOURNE, Nov. 2*7. Richard Buckley, aged 1 67, charged with murder, gave evidence in his own defence to-day. He denied being: associated with Angus Murray in- the. shorting of Thom-as Berrim'an, a bank manager, on October 8, 192-3. BuCkloy said | he was ill in feed at the time of the immlc-T -suffering from a growth on the neck which- caused- him- -to grew a beard.

He .had been wrongly convicted of assault, and robbery -many years ago, said Buckley. Three whippings had been ordered. He had received one instalment when he was released upon the discovery it was a case of mistaken identity. 'Since then the iron had entered his soul. This drove him into concealment in order to avoid being crucified a second time.

The Crown- prosecutor showed Buckley a photograph of him-elf cleanshaven and asked him! if he could identify himself. Buckley admitted it was a fairly good picture. 'The prosecutor: Why did you not tell the police where you were when the murder occurred?

Buckley: Why should I? There were time and* place'for that; anyhow I do no-t trus-t any detective.

The prosecutor: Why did you keep three loaded revolvers in your housci? Buckley: For the protection of my gran d- daughter. The prosecutor: You surely do not think the police; would injure her? Buckley: They might have started firing at random and hit her. Some of Buckley’s relatives gave evidence that Biteklcy was a -sick man at the time of the murder.

There is treimend-ous interest in the trial of Buckley, who is a bootmaker. Murray, a. notorious criminal, was hanged in 1924 for his part in the crime. The police arrested 'Buckley on September 3b last under sensational circumstances. The Crown alleges that, -ho actually -fired the revolver and' stole the ibag containing £lßsl, -since when he had eluded arrest.

, The -Crown -prosecutor pointed out that Buckley in the meantime had' grown a beard and moustache, which made identification by witnesses more difficult, and the request to Buckley ’-s -solicitor tha-t Buckley should agree to be> shaved had -been -disregarded. Buckley had told the police that he did not know Murray, but he admitted that ho had (been hiding for a number of years, though be had never been, out of the -State.

The trial, which began on Wednesday, is expected to last another two days. Crowds waited from 6.'3'0 a.m. to gain access to the court on Wednesday.