AUSTRALIAN CRIMES

Horowhenua Chronicle, 6 December 1929, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN CRIMES

COMPANION SHOT DEAD IN QUARREL

MURDER CHARGE PREFERRED

Received Thursday 10.5 p.m. SYDNEY, Dec. 5

At the inquest, at Narrabri to-day into the death of James Smith, or Sorenson, whose dismembered body was found in the Narrabri creek, the police read the signed statement of Paul Minel, aged 50, a German labourer, who is under arrest on , a charge of murder.

Minel sensationally related how, during a drunken quarrel with Smith in an old hut, Smith uttemped to strike him with a brick or stone, which Minel wrested from him, and on his striking Smith with it, Smith foil and appeared to go to sleep. A short time afterwards, Minel said he saw Smith roach for a rifle. A scuffle ensued, and Minel seized the rifle, which exploded and Smith fell.

Minel later noticed he was dead. He secured an axe and chopped the body to pieces and placed them in bags, the head separately, and dumped them in the creek.

Minel then worked about the district for some days. He had a great dca4 of drink, sold Smith’s motor truck and then took Smith’s name and left the district.

Minel was committed for trial,

Shot in Self-Defence

ACCUSED MAN ACQUITTED Received Thursday 10.30 p.m, SYDNEY, Dec. 5. At the Criminal Court, the trial of Alfred Edwards, aged 23, who was charged with the murder of James Curran, in the Gloucester district, was concluded. Edwards told the jury he shot Curran in self-defence. The jury returned a verdict of not guilty and he was discharged.