POLICE CONDUCT OF ELSIE WALKER CASE

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6844, 23 February 1929, Page 9

POLICE CONDUCT OF ELSIE WALKER CASE

Investigation of Methods ORIGINAL MEDICAL REPORT SCOUTED MURDER THEORY , Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Feb. 22. The Commission of Inquiry into the conduct of the police in the Elsie Walker case opened this morning before Mr. E. Page, S.M. Mr. Currie, of the Crown Law Office, Wellington, led the evidence. Chief-Detective Hammond was represented by Mr. A. Moody; Inspectors, Hollis, Mcllveney and Eccles by Mr. A. 11. Johnstone; Detective-Sergeant Kelly by Mr. G. P. Finlay; Sergeant Lambert, of Otahuliu, and Constables Collins, Pollard, Field and Maloney by Mr. L. P. Leary; Superintendent Wohlmann by Mr. Noel Johnston.

No Disciplinary Powers. The Magistrate said that he proposed to view the place where tho car was found and possibly the locality of Papamoa where Elsie Walker lived with her uncle prior to her death, but he would first hear Mr. Currie ’a opening. Mr. Currie said that so far as ho could see there would be a conflict of evidence on ono point only, and ho would have to ask for certain explanat’ons. Perhaps it would be better if all tho witnesses were ordered out of Court.

and Inspector Mcllveney. In replying to the Commissioner, witness said he had no recollection of when the Elsie Walker case was first discussed at these conferences, but ha thought it would have been on tho day following the discovery of the body. Mr. Currie Can you recall any discussion mado in the conference regarding this matter T—Yes. We were of opinion the report of tho medical men did not go far enough and we decided to ask Dr. Murray to discuss it with us at our conference. Tho doctor’s verbal report, made to me by Inspector Hollis, was that the girl had not died from any unlawful violence. There was a supplementary report from tho surgeons, dated December 6. The Commissioner: I want to know tho date of the first written report from the doctors to the police.

Mr. Finlay said that tho men represented by counsel were having charges made against them, and their presence in Court was necessary to instruct counsel. Mr. Currio said that the commission had no disciplinary powers, and its report would have no more effect than a leading article in a newspaper. Only the police authorities could deal with the police officers. Mr. Finlay: Then this inquiry is futile? Mr. Currie: I am not here to explain that. Methods of Crime Detection.

Mr. Currie: "The documents do not disclose the date.” Chief-Detectivo Hammond: It was about October 12.

* Discussion With Doctor. In addressing Superintendent Wohlmann, Mr. Currie asked: “What happened when the doctor appeared? ” Witness: We discussed the matter with the object of seeing if a crime had been committed or not. Up to that stage, the doctor said ne could not tell us the cause of death. The doctor was asked whether he could give evidence at a murder trial to substantiate a charge of murder, but ho said he could not. Tho doctor said there would bo no hope of a conv-iction on medical evidence. You did not know then that a crime had been committed ?—No, but in spite of that, the officors decided it was advisable there should bo no relaxation of the efforts being made to get information calculated to throw light on tho mysterious disappearance of the girl. “To tho best of my knowledge, every tittle of information was followed up,” witness said. Vital Addendum.

Mr. Page said that he would hear Mr. Currie’s opening and then decide the point raised. Mr. Currio suggested, and tho Magistato agreed, that when tho methods of the detection of crime were broached the evidence be beard in camera a 3 it was undesirable that tho inquiry be used to educate criminals.

Mr. Currie said that the inquiy was not as to the cause of Elsie Walker 's death or into the general organisation of the police force. Mr. Pago said that, supposing the methods of organisation were found to bo unsatisfactory, surely such matters should be inquired into. If individual officers were found to be at fault, the matter should certainly bo inquired into and made the subject of comment. Mr. Currie then proceeded to outline the evidence he proposed to call. Counsel gave a lengthy review of tho history of the Elsie Walker case and referred to certain matters that he said needed explanation. They were not necessarily charges against anyone, but the flics themselves did not make matters sufficiently clear without furthor explanation. Initial Delay.

“Later, Inspector Hollis informed mo Dr. Gilmour and Dr. Murray had made a vital addition to their original report.' ' Witness read this report, which was dated December 6 and in which the doctors said they were of opinion death was not duo to natural causes, but to concussion, following a blow on the head.

Tho first was the delay in starting inquiries after the police were informed. Then, when a motor-car was round at Papatoetoe, there seemed to be an absence of such inspection as would tend to the identity of the persons who had been occupying it, or controlling it. There was also an apparent delay between the finding of the car and the making of inquiries as to when it was first abandoned. It might have had material bearing on what the police were trying to find out. To interrogate Mrs. Anderson, who saw the car at Papatoetoe, a uniformed officer was sent, whereas the matter might with more propriety have been placed in the hands of a detective. As to the finding of tho body, ho would have to invite tho officers responsible to explain why it was removed at night time, when a thorough examination of the locality was impossible.

“We were left in the air," said the superintendent, when questioned about the supplementary medical report. “We thought we could not rely on medical evidence and wo did not know whether we were going to get another supplementary report." (Laughter.) Beforo adjourning the Commission until to-morrow, Mr. Page intimated it was likely ho would visit Papamoa during the week-end.

Constable’s Opinion AcceptedThen it was a question whether the detectives at the central office were justified in taking the opinion of the constable who found the body as to tho cause of death. The next explanation that would be necessary would be as to what had happened at the morgue. There appeared to have been delay in submitting tho girl’s clothing to expert examination and thoro was a piecemeal examination when it was submitted.

When the surgeon’s report was submitted it was a question whether it gave the detectives sufficient information to aid them in their work and the question might arise whether the surgeons should not have been asked at once to elaborate their report. Stating that he had decided to inspect the locality where the body was found and expressing a desire for an illustration of how tho body was found on the night of October 5, tho Commissioner at this stage adjourned the inquiry for three hours. A comprehensive demonstration of the position of tho body was given at the scene by Constable Collins and others.

Superintendent in Box. When tho inquiry was resumed, Superintendent Wolilmann gave evi dence. He detailed the system of control of the district and the holding of daily conferences with Inspector Hollis, Who was in charge of tho detectives