CAPITAL CHARGE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 306, 24 November 1932, Page 2

CAPITAL CHARGE

EVIDENCE IN PICTON CASE. Per Press Association. BLENHEIM, Nov. 23. The trial of Edward Tarrant for the alleged murder of James Mood at Picton was continued to-day. Dr. Philip Lynch, a pathnologist, produced a series of line drawings, which demonstrated the extent of the injuries. He also showed the jury the skull, it having been extensively split by the blow. Witness believed the wounds were caused by an axe because they were short and clean-cut. The injuries to the head, in witness’s opinion, were struck with violence and with skill by a left-hand-ed man.

Cross-examined by Mr Parry, Dr. Lynch admitted that if deceased had turned his head suddenly, just as the blow was struck, it was possible the blow might have been a right-handed one. Witness’s theory was that deceased was struck on the head and toppled into the fire place in a crumpled condition. The murderer then would have straightened him out for the purpose of robbing him, and witness believed he was pulled on to his hack. Then he probably breathed hard, and the murderer struck him in the throat with an axe.

Tlio bank teller at Picton, James Fuller, detailed deceased’s accounts at the bank, showing the amounts of interest payments and denominations 01 notes paid him. He also produced cheques drawn in favour of E. Tarrant, C. Tarrant, and Tarrant. Accused’s son was also named E. Tarrant.

Detective Sinclair’s evidence was mainly on. the lines of that given in the Lower Court. He was present in the courthouse when accused reported to Constable Condon that he had borrowed £3O from deceased in six £5 notes.

Elapett Pratt, who resides next door to the Tarrants, said she was in bed ill on November 4, and she saw through her window at a quarter past seven dirty black smoke coming trom the window of Tarrant’s wash-house. It was not their usual wash-day. Witness went to Wellington on November 7, and after her return she told detectives of the smoke coming from Tarrant’s washhouse. The court adjourned.

TO-DAY’S PROCEEDINGS. Per Press Association. BLENHEIM, Nov. 24. The Flood murder case was resumed to-day. Tennyson Connolly, who drove cows daily past the deceased’s whare, said he last saw him alive on November 3, at about 3.30 p.m. That night, at about 9 o’clock, he passed the cottage and saw nobody, and no light. Witness knew accused and his horse, but he saw neither that night. Franklyn James Paislow deposed to seeing accused at about 6.30 on the night of November 3. If accused said he saw or spoke to witness at eight o’clock that night, it was not true. Isaac John Pariitt said he knew accused well. On the night of November 3 he did not drive past the Clarendon Hotel and did not see accused or hear him call to him. Cross-examined, witness admitted that many people called good night frequently and he might not remember an isolated instance. Another taxi-driver was often mistaken for witness.

A number of youths gave evidence as to being near a Sunday school on the night of November 3 when Tarramt was supposed to have spoken to them, but all denied having seen accused or his horse. At the luncheon adjournment there were 34 more witnesses to be heard.