SHOOTING OF POLICE

Northern Advocate, 6 November 1931, Page 9

SHOOTING OF POLICE

CONSTABLE’S REMARKABLE STORY. PREMEDITATION ALLEGED. SYDNEY, October 23. When Loftus Arthur Johns, 45, appeared on remand at Newcastle Police Court today on charges of the attempted murder of three police constables at Waratah on Saturday last, Police Constable George Herbert Peteh gave amazing evidence of admissions alleged to have been made by the accused in the cells at Newcastle police station. In remanding Johns to October 23, and refusing bail, Mr. Stevenson, S.M., said that, on the evidence so far, it was possible that, if Johns were granted bail on condition that he reported to the police station twice daily, he might arrive armed. Constable Petch said: “On October 10 1 was at the Newcastle 1 lock-up, and accused said to me: ‘ Who is the must serious, constable.” 1 replied: ‘1 believe Constable Kenny is,’ The accused then said: ‘B good job. Hope tlie b — dies. He is only a parasite, and Bnulh is nearly as bad. 1 thought I missed Kenny in the shop. That is the reason 1 fired at the car. When Kenny ran out 1 thought he jumped in the ear and was sitting in the corner of the back seat. I would have fol|lowed the b — to the police station and jshot him there, as I was determined to |gel him.’ “Knew They Were Coming.”

“I then said to accused: ‘You must have gone mad for the time being.’ He replied: ‘No. I did not. I was informed in the morning that they wore coming, and I was ready for them. The only thing I am thankful for is that I did not hit the driver, as I would not harm any of the police, only those two b —s. If Brydou had come out, he would have got one, too. 1 had another bullet in the rille when old Bat arrested me.’

“The next day the accused said: ‘Good morning constable.’ 1 replied: ‘Good morning, Johns. How did yon sleep/’ Tlie accused then said: ‘I slept very well. 1 would not lose any sleep for those two parasites. I am satisfied now, 1 have done what I intended to do if they ever came after me. I have always treated my clients fair, and have paid out as much as y;;np() in a year to commission agents around the district.’ Ihe accused then laughed, and said; ‘ Vou ought to have seen the way Smithy jumped and screamed when I hit him. He was just like a stuck pig.”’

Early in the constable’s evidence .Johns stirred uneasily in the dock, and muttered. For the rest of the time he was silling quietly, his head resting against the ba-k of the dock.

Mr. Cragg. for the defendant, later secured peimission to reserve his crossexamination till after the remand. Evidence of the kind would be called at the silting, and he would have to have a consultation with his client, he said. Inspector Erydou undertook that the constable would be available for later cross-examination. The position was that certain facta had been questioned, when .1 (dins was previously before the Court, and he wanted them in on oath, he said. Mr. Cragg renewed his application for bail. He said that Smith was out

of hospital, and Kenny would soon bo out. The defendant, to have proper opportunity of preparing ids defence, would need to be on bail. Even according to Constable Fetch’s evidence there would be no danger in granting Johns bail. Johns had said he was satisfied now. Johns was well known in the district, and bail could be of any amount, and on any conditions the magistrate might desire. ‘‘l object,” said Inspector Brydon. “I submit the evidence so far given shows a callous crime, in which there was premeditation and no regrets. ’ ’ Mr. Stevenson: I refuse bail on the grounds that, according to the evidence so far given, he expressed the intention of committing two murders. Stewards’ Evidence. Evidence had also been given by James Thompson, who said that he was leading steward on the H.M.A.S. Canberra, which was lying at King’s wharf, Newcastle, on October 10, He noticed a crowd around a man lying on a foothpath on Turton Road. 3li> was told afterwards that the man was Constable Kenny. 'Witness, who had been given first aid training in thcnavy, immediately tried to stop the bleeding. He took the artery between his fingers and held it there till the ambulance came. He remained with the constable till after he got to the hospital. Inspector Brydpij said the police wanted to express their thanks to Thompson, who had undoubtedly saved Kenny’s life. The magistrate agreed.