TRIAL FOR MURDER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17696, 3 February 1921, Page 6

TRIAL FOR MURDER.

THE CARTERTON TRAGEDY.

AFFRAY IN WHARE.

CASE FOE THE PROSECUTION [BY TELEGRAPH. —PBESS ASSOCTATION.J WELLINGTON, Wednesday. The trial of Frederick Thompson, of Carterton, who is alleged to have murdered Anthony Rzdska on November 20, was commenced at the Supreme Court today. The accused pleaded not guilty. The facts adduced by the evidence for the prosecution were that on the afternoon of November 1 20 deceased and some companions, • including the accused, had drinks together and then proceeded to the hitter's whare. On the way Rzoska attempted to pick a fight with Thompson, but after some words they went on to the whare. During conversation an argument arose. Rzoska was heard to ask, "Who brought you home?" Thompson replied, "No one but myself. There must either be some liars or some fools among us, and it's not me, so it must be you, Tony." Rzoska retorted, "If it's me, I'm quite able to stand up to it." He then took off his coat and threw it to someone in the doorway. Thompson said: "Get out of my house." A shot was then fired, and Rzoska fell. No witness actually saw the shot fired. Rzoska made no attempt to strike Thompson before the shot was fired. A revolver was found under the whare. Deceased, in a statement taken just before his death, said that "Ered had done it. He was the man, all right. It was Fred Thompson." In opening the case for the defence, Mr. Putnam said Thompson had tried to avoid trouble. No weapon had been seen in his hand. Counsel suggested t 0 th.e jury that, seeing a revolver lying near, Thompson made a grab at it and it went off. The hearing will be continued tomorrow.