CLUES OBTAINED IN CAR MURDER CASE

Northern Advocate, 13 June 1935, Page 7

CLUES OBTAINED IN CAR MURDER CASE

DEATH OF MR HOLMES FINGERPRINTS ON DOOR VICTIM’S PREVIOUS STATEMENT. EARLY ARREST EXPECTED. [United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph. — Copyright.} (Received 9 a.m.) SYDNEY, June 12. Five detectives were engaged today in investigating the mysterious shooting of Mr Reginald Holmes. A medical examination of the body disclosed the fact that there were three bullet wounds beneath the heart. The fourth bullet had perforated the victim’s overcoat. The detectives are of opinion that Mr Holmes was induced to drive his car by another person, with a view to having a secret conversation in a lonely spot on the waterfront, and that there the man shot him with a revolver held in one of his pockets. Two policemen were patrolling the wharves when they discovered the body. As the medical opinion was that death had occurred three hours earlier, it is assumed that the murderer left the scene hurriedly and escaped toward the city, leaving one door of the car open and the headlights turned on. Fingerprints left on the door are being examined. No person living in the locality heard the shots, which it is believed were fired while suburban trains were running across the harbour bridge. The police now are following up the theory that Mr Holmes was murdered by some one who had an interest in the inquest into the death of- James Smith. ?

-The police expect to arrest Mr Holmes’ murderer shortly through the fingerprint clue, also through a statement . made by Mr Holmes three weeks ago. He then asserted that an attempt had been made to kill him about that time,

TRIED TO KILL HIM. PROBABLY SAME MAN. (Received 10.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. Detectives are now disposed to place some credence on the information given thfcm by Mr Reginald Holmes, one of the principal Crown witnesses in the “tattooed arm” mystery who was yesterday fourid shot dead iri his car. Mr Holmes gave the information some little time ago. Following his capture on May .20 after the speed boat chase in the harbour, he declared that a stranger had tried to kill him, and afterwards he had lost his memory.- ; It was thought at the time that the wound in his head was self-inflicted, but the police now believe that it is probable he was shot on May 20 by the man who murdered him yesterday.