POLICE SHOOTING

Hokitika Guardian, 13 June 1936, Page 5

POLICE SHOOTING

INQUIRY EVIDENCE DELAY EN REPORTING OFFENCE. (Australian Press Association.) *' MELBOURNE, June 12. At the inquiry into the shooting of Inspector Brophy, Mrs Madelene* OiTV widow, licensee of Tattersall’s Hotel, near the detective, headquarters, : gave evidence to-day. She had known the Brophy family for years, and had often visited them. Witness corroborated the story of the shooting. ■, During cross-examination by Mr Streeton, witness said that the car lights were switched off while the car was parked at Royal Park. Mr Streeton: Did it not seem a. mysterious way for an old friend like Superintendent Brophy to act?—No. Mr Streeton: You passed the police station after Superintendent Brophy was injured. Why didn’t you give information ?

Witness: We were acting under Superintendent Brophy’s instructions, which were to save us women. Superintendent Brophy asked us to leave it to him. ''

Witness added that Superintendent Brophy’s last words were: “You leave this to me! 1 think they have got me! I am riddled with bullets,!”

Mrs Elsie Middle Park, give similar evidence,, to Mrs Orr, She added that, when the firing began, Mailer cried to her to bob,.down, and he pushed her head down. William Maher, barman at Mrs Orr’s hotel, detailed his conversation with Superintendent Brophy. Maher added lie had not reported the. shooting to the police because he was “leaving everything to Brophy.” Altogether about ten shots were fired. Detective W. R. R. Boulton who was subjected to.a searching cross-examina-tion as to why this police did not immediately make inquiries into the shooting said soon after the affair he saw Brophy in hospital when Brophy told him the wounds were accidental.

Mr Lewis asked: Was it not perfectly clear to you that Brophy had not been accidentally shot? Boulton: No.

Mr Lewis: You are a detective, and your powers of observation as a detective should hav,e,;enabled you to decide whether it,was accidental. Boulton: Brophy,-told me it was an accident, and I be'ieved him.

Mr Lewis: Was it a fact that Brophy your superior i officer., prevented you from .making inquiries. Boulton; Inquiries have been made.