PICTON MURDER CASE

Northern Advocate, 24 August 1932, Page 6

PICTON MURDER CASE

JAMES FLOOD’S. AWFUL END

TRIAL OF EDWARD TARRANT,

IMPORTANT EVIDENCE

Association. —OoDy r, eht.) BLENHEIM', Tins Day.

The trial was continued yesterday, before Mr.T. E. Maunsell, S.M., of Ed ward Tarrant, a well-known Ficton resident, aged about 58 years, who is charged with murdering James Flood at Picton on November 3, 1931. James Thomas Tetley Flood, builder, residing in York Street, Picton, said that he was a nephew of deceased. He gave evidence regarding deceased’s interest in a farm. Witness said that his uncle was of a quiet disposition and very thrifty. Witness had never known of any one borrowing money from him.

About 9 p.m. on November 3, .1931, as the result of a message, he went to his uncle’s cottage and met Constable Condon. The constable got through a window. On Constable Condon’s request ho and another man forced Hie door and witness saw his uncle’s body lying on its back in front of the fiioplaec. Witness described the injuries and the position of articles in the room. Ho saw Constable, Comloii; search deceased’s clothing. Witness said the beneficiaries under deceased’s will were witness, two brothers, two sisters, and three cousins. Cecil Godfrey Flood, labourer, nephew of deceased, said that ho saw deceased about once a month. He had known him to lend money on one or two occasions. Arthur Lionel Flood, farmer, of Port Underwood, also a nephew, said that although ho knew his imelc well, ho had never known him to lend money. Money, In a Wallet. James Alexander Fuller, bank toller, Picton, gave evidence that deceased at his death had two fixed deposits ol £2,204 and £1,009 respectively. Witness produced a statement showing thb denomination of notes issued to deceased on account of interest. 'Witness detailed various interest payments. Continuing after the tea adjournment, witness said that when deceased lifted interest he put the money in a wallet, which he took from an inside coat pocket. It was a brown wallet, but very dirty, and had a rubber hand round it. Money in it was wrapped in a bundle of deposit receipts. Witness estimated that there was between £2OO and £3OO in the bundle. Deceased occasionally changed notes in the bank, but not many £2O notes.

AVitr.Oss corrected his statement of interest paid to deceased from 19.15 to 1933. The correct calculation was £2,233 8/9. Deceased had had no current account. Witness then detailed at length particulars regarding cheques paid to E. Tarrant by certain firms and the denominations of notes in payment. It was explained that accused had accounted for possession of certain notes he had cashed by the statement that those particular firms' had paid amounts to him and he had_ received specified notes in payment from the bank. Four £lO. notes had been paid, but no £2O notes. ■ ■ Cross-examined, witness said' lie did not know if the wallet had any other fastener than the rubber band. Tin amounts paid from January 8, 193.1, to deceased were eight £2O notes, 06 £lO, notes, and. 42 £5 notes. Detective’s Testimony, Detective, Frank Sinclair gave evidence that on November 5 last ho, in company with Sergeant Peterson and Constable Condon, went to deceased’s cottage in Picton at 1.1 p.m. ConstabK .Roberts and deceased ’s nephew, Thomas Tetley Flood, were outside the cottage when he arrived. Witness detailed the position of the liody and injuries and marks on it. He also detailed bloodstains and spots on the premises. On November 6, the caretaker of the croquet lawn gave him a key which fitted the lock of the entrance door of deceased’s house. Witness removed from deceased’s clothing a rubber flap (produced). It was sewn above an inside pocket. It had a buttonhole which fitted a button below the pocket on the coat. Witness produced an axe and a butcher’s knife which he found in the cottage. There wore no bloodstains on them.

Witness said that lie saw accused on November S at the Picton Police Station. Accused called to report having borrowed £3O from deceased and to inquire to whom he should pay it bach. Accused made a statement which he signed, staling that he called on deceased regarding fencing posts. He asked deceased for the loan of £3O and deceased gave it lo him without demur. He loolc it out of a wallet. That was or. the Saturday before Labour *Dav.

When examining the cottage when the body was there, witness continued, he found a poker (produced). It had blood on it. He searched for the wallet and' the door hey, but could not, find either.

Cross-examined, witness said the firstintimation lie had about deceased’s money came from accused himself. The court rose about 10 p.m. There are still a large number of witnesses to bo called. TODAY’S EVIDENCE. <Per Press AssoiMattnn. —roDyrtahl.) BLENHEIM, This Day. This morning John Walker Fowler gave evidence as to finding a key on a green of, the Picton croquet club.

Henry Ruffell, butcher, stated that ho called at deceased’s house on November 4, about 4.30 p.m. He got no reply to his knock, so lie tried the door, which was locked. Cross-examined, witness said li“ out his moat up on the van, using ordinary butcher’s knives and a cleaver. .Tames Aldridge, baker, also deposed to* calling at the collage and finding the door locked, which was unusual. Tennyson Connolly staled that he passed the cottage on Iho night of November 3 when all was dark. The following morning he (again passed, and saw a window open. Tins was the first time he had seen a window open. The door w.as closed.