CAPITAL CHARGE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 135, 8 May 1933, Page 2

CAPITAL CHARGE.

CASE IN AUCKLAND. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, May 8. Thomas Francis Clark, aged 33, a labourer, is on trial in the Supreme Court to-day on a charge of murdering Bertha May Bennett at Papatoetoe on January 17. Counsel for the Crown, outlined the evidence oil the lines of that given in the Lower Court. Alice Whewell, mother of deceased, said her daughter and accused had spoken of marrying and it had been her intention to assist them to go on a farm when they married. Alfred George Hamilton said he had been living in Mrs Bennett’s house for seven or eight years and they shared the same room. Accused in the last 18 months had visited the house twice or thrice weekly. On the night of the women’s death he awakened to hear her saying “What aro you doing in here; get out of here at once.” He then heard the report of a gun and saw accused backing out of the room. While he was searching for the light switch he heard another shot and then found accused, who remarked that lie had missed himself (accused).