CHARGE OF MURDER

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 181, 1 July 1938, Page 8

CHARGE OF MURDER

TAXI-DRIVER’S EVIDENCE. POLICE AND WHARF DISCOVERY Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, June 30. The hearing was continued in the Magistrate’s Court of the charge against Douglas Alexander Armstrong, aged 20, a fitter and turner, of having murdered his father, Edwin Norman Armstrong, at Wellington, on May 6. Charles Anthony Wilfred Wheeler, a taxi driver, said that on May 6, about 1.15 p.m., he took his car to Hinau Road. He was looking for No. 13, but could find no such number. There he noticed accused standing on the footpath. Witness asked whether he had ordered a taxi and accused replied that he had. There were two bags with accused. When witness went to lift the bags he thought they were rather heavy and remarked upon it, to which accused replied that he had some venison. The bags were fibre suitcases. Accused directed witness to the Tamahine, but first to the Union Steam Ship Company. Witness waited at the company's office and then drove to the Post Office and then to the Tamahine. There witness was unable to lift the heavier suitcase. He noticed some blood on the car mat, whereupon accused apologised and witness let it go at that. Accused lifted the heavy suitcase out. Witness noticed nothing peculiar about him. He identified two car mats (produced) as his. At an identification parade a few days later witness identified accused. Stuart Haydn McDonald, a clerk employed by the Union Steam Ship Company, said that on the afternoon of May 6 lie issued to a man who came into the office one ticket for the Tamahine in the name of D. Armstrong. On May 10 he identified accused at a parade at the police station. Constable William John Harper, of Picton, said that at 11.30 a.m. on Saturday, May 7, he went to the Picton wharf and underneath it saw a suitcase. With assistance he got it on to the wharf and found a human hand projecting from the side of it. He identified the suitcase and a rope which was tied about it, the articles being produced in Court. He was present at tlie morgue when DetectiveSergeant McLennan opened the case, in which was a man’s body, minus the head and legs. He was also present at the Picton wharf on May 12 when a diver brought to the surface a suitcase which contained the head and two legs of a man, together with some clothing and a pair of shoes. Witness identified the articles which were produced. The point where the first suitease was found was immediately behind the stern end of the Tamahine’s usual berthing place. DIVER’S DISCOVERY. Te Kanawa Wineera, a diver, said that on May 12 he searched the seabottom around the Picton wharf and found a suitcase at the seaward end of the wharf. It was resting on the bottom in about 35ft. of water. The police took the suitcase when it was hauled up. Detective-Sergeant William McLennan, of Wellington, said he and others were at the Picton morgue on May 7 when the suitcase and the body were examined: There were several cuts on the coat and waistcoat in which the body was dressed. Tn the vicinity of the chest and neck there were knife cuts in the shirt and the singlet on the body. In the vicinity of the left side of the chest witness found an unemployment levy hook in the name of E. Armstrong and a medical prescription for E. Armstrong. The Court at this stage adjourned for lunch.

EVIDENCE OF ACQUAINTANCE. Jack Leornard Astiii, draper’s assistant, of Wellington, said he had known accused for about two years. During that time he had spent a lot of time in his company. Accused was very interested in deer-stalking and witness had been out with him several times on deer-stalking expeditions. “I did not see accused on May 6,” said Astill, “I saw him on Saturday at about 1.30 p.m. at my place. He said he had just arrived from Blenheim by ’plane. He made no intiiTiation as to what he had been doing there. He said he went there by the Tamahine. He stayed for tea on Saturday and in the afternoon we went for a drive in Parker’s car.”

Mr Cunningham : Did you have the evening paper at the table during the evening meal?—Yes. Witness said he did not mention anything that was in the paper to accused. He remembered quite well that something was mentioned about a body in a suitcase. “I asked him in a joking fashion : ‘What were you doing over there?’ The matter dropped there. I said : ‘You’ll have to be careful. They’ll be checking up on all the people going over and coming back.’ Accused did not say anything to my remarks. Later Parker and accused and I went to a dance. We went in Parker’s car.”

Mr Cunningham : How late did you see accused at the dance.—At about five minutes to 12.

Accused did not go home with witness and Parker, said witness. He knew the large knife shown him quite well. It was made for witness by accused, and lie used it about Easter time. He gave the knife hack to accused. He was quite familiar, with the rifle produced; it was accused’s gun. In answer to Mr O’Leary', witness said accused was an expert at making knives and he was always making mechanical things for his friends. Arthur Merwood Parker, motor-ear assembler, said he had known Douglas Armstrong for about five years—for three years well. He met him at Astill’s home on Saturday, May 7. Armstrong said he had been to (Blenheim on a business trip, going by ship and returning by ’plane. Witness outlined the movements of the three young men on Saturday afternoon and evening. The finding of the suit case at Picton was mentioned. Witness said jokingly to Armstrong: “You’re been over to Picton. You’ll have the police after you soon.” Armstrong replied. “I know that.” Sidney Aberley said he was on duty as night porter at the Hotel Waterloo on the night of May 7. He hooked in that night a person who gave his name as James Campbell and signed the register accordingly. He had no luggage. Witness gave “Campbell” either room 416 or 417. He had attended a parade and identified * ‘Campbell” as accused Armstrong.

Eugene Charles McCarthy, a fitter on the railways, said Douglas Armstrong was his mate. Armstrong was at work on May 5; but not on the following day or since. Armstrong had made the small knife (produced) about three months ago. He said he was going to use it for deer-staiking. To Mr O’Leary, he said Armstrong had also made a big knife and its sheath.

Sub-Inspector John Carroll, of Wellington, who was in charge of the inquiries in the case, and DetectiveSergeant William Tricklehank described the finding at 20 Hinau Road of the knives, blood-stained clothing, a tenon saw with meaty substance on the teeth, a quantity of congealed

blood in a drain sump, a bolt belonging to a rifle, and what appeared to be bloodstains on the walls, floors, doors and carpet. The hearing will continue to-mor-row morning.