Murder Charge Against Maori

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 69, 23 March 1937, Page 5

Murder Charge Against Maori

DEATH OF HIS FATHER AUCKLAND, March 22. After several remands at the request of tho police, John Toka, farm labourer, aged 24, was charged in the Police Court this morning with tho murder of his father, Toka Whakia, also the attempted murder of his sister, Mrs Ette Toka, at Patumahoe on February 21. Both charges were heard to* gether. Mr K- M. Griffin, Government Analyst at Auckland, gave evidence that a gun had been discharged close to tho wall of the whare, which was made .of malthoid. There were four holes in the uvUthoid and signs of the discharge of smokeless powder. ' Dr. H. S. Douglas, of Pukek-ohe, described a visit tho accused paid him four days before the tragedy, accompanied by his father. Witness advised him to go to hospital and gave him a certificate to the Auckland Hospital. Ho was not keen to go, but the father said he would see that ho did. The accused was then quite normal.

Dr. Begg testified to going to tho whare when the police were investigating on the night of the tragedy. He found the dead body of the victim lying on tho kitchen floor and the wounded woman two yards away. When Toka was brought in to the wliare and com* fronted by tho injured woman she pointed to him and said: ‘‘That is tho man. He shot my father.” Toka replied: “I shot him. I have been in hospital.” The accused’s domeanour # said Dr. Begg, was quite calm and ho spoke only in answer to questions.

Polly Toka said she saw accused strike Mrs. Ete Toko over the head. Accused and his father frequently had quarrels. The day before the murder accused was involved in an argument with his father and Ete Toko. Thomas Simon said accused came to him and said he had killed his father. “Ete is dead,” accused said. “I. have killed her with my own hands. I have killed my father. He was a bad fellow.”

Frank Jakeman gave corroborative evidence and the hearing was adjourn*