N.S.W. MURDER CASE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXII, 24 October 1916, Page 4

N.S.W. MURDER CASE.

THE I.W.W/S DOINGS

Cable messages from Sydney luivo* stated that Roland Kennedy ana Fiiuu; Franz have been found g'ulty of tne murder of Constable Ueorge Suss Duncan, and sentenced to" death, but. iVuchael Herbert Kennedy has been acquitted.

The murder took place about 9 p.m. on September 26, at Tottenham, a small township in New South Wales. The evidence taken at the inquest, which lasted four days, showed that >he constable, who was '25 years of age. was shot Avhile working at his desk. The coroner returned a verdict of murder, feloniously and maliciously committed by Roland Kennedy. Franiv Franz, and Herbert Kennedy, and committed them for trial.

The statement by Franz declared that it was Roland Kennedy who suggested shooting the constable. The three men, carrying rifles, walked tothe police station. 'There was nothing: but a thin curtain on the window. I. could see _ Constable Duncan plainly. The two Renndys took aim at him together through the Avindow. The constable was moving his head up and down, and they waited till he sat up straight, and then they both fired at the same time. . . As soon as they r.-el they said, 'Fire, or we'll .' I ■c.i:i not hear any more. I fired. W'-'on the Kennedys fired I saw the or stable jumn from his seat and fall towards his right and start moaning. ' i' 1 not see the constable when I fire<~{ mv shot.

according to other evidence Roland Nicholas Kennedy also made a statement, in Which he admitted that he took part with Franz in the shooting, of the constable, but he declared that it was Franz who proposed the murder. The statement continued: "I then went back and got my rifle, andwe were going to get niy brother, Rerb^ and he would not come. We tokl him what we were going to do, and he said as he was a married man it was not worth his while. Franz and I then came down to the police station. Franz was leading the way. When we got to the window the policeman was-, sitting working; his typewriter. Franz, said, 'Count three! When I say three we'll let go together. We'll let twovolleys go.* Franz fired twice, I fired once, and my second shot missed fire. I heard the window smash when I fired. As soon as I fired 1 rim away. Only for Franz I would not have taken any part in the shooting of the constable.'' The evidence showed that the men were members of the I.W.TV., and that they had been influenced by their doctrines and objects in the committal ot: the crime.