BODY FOUND IN A TRUNK

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 15 June 1935, Page 5

BODY FOUND IN A TRUNK

Widow Reveals Startling Facts in Murder Case

DEATH OF TATTOOED MAN POINTED DISCLOSURES CUnited Frew AmcclaMoii —By Electrlo lelegmpo ' Copyright). SYDNEY, June 14. Many objections to evidence implicating Patrick Brady, charged with the murder of James Smith, whose tattooed arm was disgorged by a captive shark, were matte to-day at the inquiry into the death of Smith. The coroner, however, overruled the objections.

Mrs Inio Parker Holmes, widow of Reginald Holmes, whoso death the police are now investigating, said James Smith was employed in connection with the building of a block of flats for her a few years ago. Both Smith and Patrick Brady had repeatedly visited her husband at his boatbuilding yards, and conversations went on at his office.

The last occasion on which she saw Brady was about 8 a.m. on April 9, when he asked to see her husband. Brady was extremely agitated. Both his hands were cut and bloodstained. Mrs Holmes was asked whether her late husband had discussed with her the disappearance of James Smith, to which she replied that it was hot until last week. “He told me Brady had. murdered him.”

Mr Clive Evatt, counsel for Brady, objected, contending that as Holmes was now dead it was impossible to test the accuracy of his widow’s statement. The coroner, Mr E. Oram, overruled the objection and said that for the purposes of the inquiry her evidence was admissible.

TRUNK TIPPED OVERBOARD. Mrs Holmes said she asked her husband what Brady did with the body. Her husband told her Brady put it in a tin trunk then in the boat and tipped it over into the sea. This occurred on the night before his visit to Holmes’ house on April 8. Percival Forbes gave evidence that Brady, under the name of "W illiams, rented bis seaside cottage at Oronulla for the end of March and part of April, and that at the expiration of that tenancy lie discovered a mattress had been replaced by a new one. Forbes also discovered a kerosene tin containing something resembling blood, which possessed a horrible stench. He also noticed that one of his tin trunks had been replaced by a new trunk. Mrs Holmes, who was further examined, said that on about April 26 her husband went to Melbourne, leaving £5, which he told her to post to Mr Jamieson, Post .Office, North Sydney.. She knew Brady called himself Jamieson and that he used other names. A person' later telephoned her and asked her whether there vas anything for him. She presumed it was Brady and told him there was a letter at the post office for him. Mr Evatt again protested and said the woman’s evidence was against all the principles of fairness. Under cross-examination Mrs Holmes said she was unaware that her husband had commenced divorce proceedings or that a Mr Young, the architect of her flats, had been named as co-respondent. She added that Young and James Smith were associated in the building of the flats six years ago. SMITH ROWED ASHORE.

Mrs Holmes was cross-examined about the sinking of the yacht Pathfinder. She said she believed it was covered by insurance. James Smith was the only person aboard when the yacht was sume. He rowed ashore 'l'he insurance company had refused to pay insurance, and she was not aware of the amount. She did not think her husband claimed insurance ' She believed her husband had an overdraft at the bank, but he was not in financial difficulties. Mr Evatt asked Mrs Holmes whether she went to the police after her husband told her Sm.th had been murdered. She replied in the affirmative. She learned that her husband had already made a statement to the police. Mr Evatt: Did you read his statement. Mrs Holmes: No. But he told me he told the whole truth. That was only last week. Several times Mr Evatt objected to the coroner receiving evidence implieating Brady, and he declared at the close of the proceedings that much, of to-day’s evidence would not be ad-' mitted in another court. The coroner replied: You need not tell me that. Mr Evatt: This evidence is being sent by the Pvoss throughout the world and should not bo admitted. The coroner: I am running this court. I know what is admissible. The inquiry was adjourned till Monday.