MELBOURNE SHOOTING PROBE

Northern Advocate, 13 June 1936, Page 2

MELBOURNE SHOOTING PROBE

MORE EVIDENCE IN THE BROPHY CASE [United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph. — Copyright .l (Received 10 a.m.) MELBOURNE, June 12. The Royal Commission which is inquiring into the. shooting of Superintendent Brophy of the Victorian Criminal Investigation Department, in Royal Park, near Parkville, on May 22, sat again today. Mr Justice MacIndoe presided. The Chief of Police, Sir Thomas Blarney, stated that when the shooting was originally reported to be accidental he did not ask Mr Brophy how he came to be wounded all over the body. Mr Wilbur Ham, K.C., counsel for the “Sydney Morning Herald” and its reporters: “Did you not think it strange?” Sir Thomas: “Yes.” Mrs Madeline Orr, widow of the late licensee of Tattersall’s Hotel, which is near the detective headquarters, gave evidence that she had knowri Mr Brophy and his family for years and often visited thern. Witness corroborated the story of the shooting. Cross-examined by Mr L. Stretton, who is assisting the commissioner, she said the lights of the ear were switched off while it was parked in Royal Park.

Actions Not Mysterious.

Mr Stretton: “Did not it seem a mysterious way for an old friend like Mr Brophy to act?” Witness: “No.” “What did you do? —did you haye pleasant chat in the dark?” —“We did not have time. It was only a matter of minutes when the bandits appeared.” “You passed the police station after Mr Brophy had been injured. Why did you “not give information?”—“We were acting under Mr Brophy’s instructions- which were to save us women. Mr Brophy asked us to leave it to him.” Mi* Stanley Lewis, who is also appearing for the “Sydney Morning Herald,” asked Mrs Orr whether she treated the barman "Maher, who was driving the car, more as a friend than an employee. • ■ - Witness replied: “He is merely ah employee in my bar.” No Reason For Changing Places. “You and Mrs Phillips were - in the back seat of. the car, but when it stopped Mrs Phillips changed places with Mr Brophy. What was the reason?” —“There was no particular reason. Mr Brophy’s last words were: "You leave this to me., I think they have got me. I am riddled with bullets.’ ” Mrs Elsie Phillips, of Middle Park, gave similar evidence. She added that when the firing began Maher cried to her: “Bob down,” and pushed her | down. Witness said she did not scream when she heard the shots fired, nor did Mrs jOrr. Mrs Phillips’ husband then entered the witness box. He said he was still on good terms with his wife, and there was no dissension as the result of the incident. William Maher related a consultation, when Mr Brophy, asked for the use of Mrs Orr’s car on May 22. He said that Mesdames Orr and Phillips, on the same evening, wanted to be driven to Clifton Hill, whereupon ness told them Mr Brophy wanted the car. Mrs Orr exclaimed: “Oh, dash it.”

Detective Examined. Maher then described the happenings in Royal Park. Maher said he had not reported the shooting to the police, because he Was leaving it to Mr Brophy. Altogether about ton shots were fired. Detective W. R. Boulton, who Was subjected to a searching crossexamination as to why the police did not immediately make inquiries into the shooting, said that soon after the affair he saw Mr Brophy in hospital, when he told witness his wounds were accidental. Mr Lewis: “Was not it clear to you that Mr Brophy had not been accidentally shot?” —“No.” “You are a detective, and your powers of observation as a detective should have enabled you to decide whether it was accidental.” —“Mr Brophy. told me it was an accident and I believed him.” “Was it the fact that Mr Brophy is your superior officer that prevented you making enquiries?”—“Enquiries have been made.” The hearing was adjourned.