ARUNDEL MURDER CASE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 19 October 1937, Page 6

ARUNDEL MURDER CASE

EVIDENCE AT TIMARU STATEMENT BY ACCUSED I By Telegraph—Press Associationl TIMARU, This Day. Evidence in the Arundel murder case was continued in the Magistrate’s Court to-day. Robert Richard Graham Lawson, Paparoa, identified a "Lucky-charm” clock found in Gaby's store as the one that had been among accused’s possessions in August, 1935. Mrs Olive Ibell (Christchurch) and Allan Richard Armstrong (Christchurch), said they recognised the charm as one worn by accused in the lapel of his coat. They last saw it in August. Detective-Sergeant J. Bickerdike (Christchurch) said he interviewed accused at the detective office at Christchurch and told him he was investigating Gaby’s death. “Accused asked my reason for interviewing him on the matter. I asked him if he knew the Arundel district. He said he knew it well and knew Gaby’s store. I told him a cheque had been cashed at Seacliff by a man answering his description. I told him the cheque was from a book on issue to Gaby. After a few minutes accused said, ‘What is going to happen to me if I tell the truth?’ I said, ‘lt just depends on what your explanation is, provided you have an explanation.’ Accused said, ‘I did not intend to kill Gaby.’ He gave a groan as I dragged him into the kitchen. He said he would prefer to write his own story, as he could put it in his own language.” In the statement accused said that he stayed at Mt. Somers on 9th September, and then proceeded to describe his movements until he reached Arundel at 7 p.m. on 10th September. About an hour later he went into the store and took money from the till, also a cheque book. “I was just leaving when I met a man at the back door. He made some remark and if I remember rightly he made a dash at me. I stepped into the back of the store and picked up a piece of wood in the kitchen. By this time the man was standing outside the back door. I think I pushed him back with my hand. He said something but I cannot remember clearly what it was. I raised the wood up and struck at him and he fell to the ground. I do not remember clearly what happened just then. I have a slight recollection that I picked him up and dragged him into the kitchen. He appeared to be stunned. I cannot remember whether he was bleeding or not. He did not say anything, but gave a bit of a groan. I then noticed that he was an old man. The three bootlaces shown to me by the detectives are what I bad on me at the time I went into the store. I cannot say what I did with these, but I know I left them at the store. At this time I was very excited, and do not remember clearly what happened. I then closed the back door and left. After leaving the store I went on to the main road and either walked or ran towards Geraldine as I was frightened. After walking about four miles I kind of cooled off. When a car came along and I stepped into the middle of the road, and he gave me a lift to Timaru.” Accused then described his movements in Timaru. He pleaded not guilty and was committed for trial. Earlier reference will be found on page 2 of this issue.