CAPITAL CHARGE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 308, 26 November 1932, Page 7

CAPITAL CHARGE

SEQUEL TO PICTON TRAGEDY.

•THEORY OF THE DEFENCE. Per Press Association. BLENHEIM,'Nov. 26. The trial of Edward Tarrant for the alleged murder of James Flood resumed this morning. The Judge referred to arrangements for the jury to inspect the locality of the crime and this drew from Mr Parry tli defence’s theory of the crime. He said the defence would suggest that the murderer, whoever he might have been, resided somewhere on the east side of Devon Street and that after leaving Mr Flood’s cottage he proceeded to Devon Street by means of a shortcut across a vacant section next Mi' Pratt’s house and then diagonally across the croquet lawn. The defence would suggest that he dropped the key as he went and that later he planted the wallet under thfc croquet lawn hedge, covering it with leaves. Here Tarrant found it early in January. It would be admitted that he had no right to retain the money, but the fact that be did so did not mean he was the murderer. It would be admitted that he atp- tempted to mislead the police as to ; his possession of money until bowled | out when he told the truth that he

i had found it, Mr Parry added. DeI; tective Hall was cross-examined at I length. Witness admitted that the & police had taken a pair of khaki || trousers belonging to accused and a pj coat afterwards found to belong to his © son. They had on them what apfe, peared to be blood stains. The stain jP.on the coat was explained by the fact IK.that the son had a wound on his arm. Smalt: Detective Jarrold detailed the iHiesarch: for the wallet and of accused’s jMfliouse, his evidence being similar to K; ; that given in the Lower Court. Mp 1 ' The Court adjourned at one o’clock jfes to enable the jury to visit the scene ||| of the murder. The trial will resume Ki'on Monday morning.