The Shooting of Inspector Brophy

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 1423, 19 June 1936, Page 7

The Shooting of Inspector Brophy

Evidence of Reporters VARYING VERSIONS OF AFFAIR United Press Association-—Bv Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. MELBOURNE, Juno IS. At the inquiry by the Royal Commission into the shooting of Boliee Superintendent Brophy, to-duy’.s witnesses wero mainly reporters on the “Argus,” “Age,” “Herald,” and “SunPictorial,’’ who gave evidence of the conflicting stories told at police headquarters following ' the shooting of Brophy. Earl Robinson, of the “Sun-Pictorial,” and Laurence Whitehead, of the “Herald,” both said that a statement produced at tho inquiry was not the one they had seen at the police Press bureau. The handwriting and phrasing wero different.

Lionel Luxton, of the “Argus,” explained that he aud another reporter interviewed Brophy at the hospital. He referred them to Detective McKerral, who issued a corrected statement regarding Brophy’s injuries aud the manner in which they were caused. Later in tho evening one of tho broadcasting studious i .t over the air still another and more detailed version. McKerral was called on the telephone, and when told about it he iusisted that both the Press and the broadcasting statemeut were the same, but if the latter was different then somebody had coloured it. Harold Austin, reporter on the “Age,” said that when Kir Thomas Blarney was asked by reporters whether the usual methods were being taken to apprehend Bropliy’s attackers, Sir mas Blarney replied: “No; what can we do? The men were masked and a torch was flashed in Brophy’s face. There is no way of identifying them.” Mr. O’Bryan, who is appearing for the police, interposed: AVhat did you take that to meau? Austin: That there was little likelihood of the offenders being apprehended. Judge Macindoe: Doesn't it mean that there was no likelihood on earth of their being apprehended and that investigations had ceased? Austin: Yes. The inquiry was adjourned. More Contradictions by Reporters

Received Thursday, 9.40 p.m. MELBOURNE,‘Juno IS. At the police inquiry more evidence was given by the reporters to-day. Robert Lawson, of the Age, produced shorthand notes of a statement made by Detective-Inspector McKerral on the morning following the shooting. He was confident tho statement by Detective McKerral produced in Court was not identical with the ono issued to the Press after the shooting. Reginald Warren, of the Suu-Pie-torial, said he interviewed Brophy at the hospital. Brophy declared it was not true, as stated in the Herald, that he was decoyed to Royal park, and he was not shot there. Bropliy added: "I went to the Royal Parade on an official mission. I was standing alone with a revolver iu my left hand, which became sweaty. I mado an attempt to change it to my right hand and the weapon exploded twice, aud wounded me iu the right forearm and cheek.” Witness asked Brophy why the pistol went off twice, and Brophy replied that they were finely set. The inquiry was adjourned. 1