CHARGE OF MURDER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20930, 21 July 1931, Page 10

CHARGE OF MURDER.

(MRS. JOHNSON'S DEATH

NEWTON STABBING CASE.

■MAORI RESERVES DEFENCE

COMMITTAL FOR TRIAL.

EVIDENCE OF ROOM MATE

After the evidence of 27 witnesses had been heard in the Police Court in the case in which Pahara Rameka Kere, alias George Rameka, is charged with murdering Mrs. Gwendoline Alice Johnson, at Newton, on June 24, accused pleaded not guilty yesterday, reserved his defence and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial.

On the further charge of attempting to murder Queenie Rose Lawrence, daughter of Mrs. Johnson, accused also pleaded not guilty and was committed for trial.

The evidence was heard yesterday of 16 witnesses. Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., was on the Bench. Detective-Sergeant Kelly conducted the case for tho prosecution, and Mr. W. Noble appeared for accused.

Public interest in the case was again reflected in the large attendance at the Court throughout the day. Morning of 'the Tragedy.

Sirs. Kura Murphy, of 87, Hepburn Street, a cousin of accused,, whose evidence was heard on Friday, was crossexamined by Mr. Noble. Mr. Noble (through an interpreter): When the man came to your house he appeared to be stupid ?

Witness: Yes. At the time I thought he was drunk.

He was like a man walking in his sleep?— Yes. Witness asked, when her evidence had been read to her, that an alteration should be made in her statement of accused's remarks to her when he entered her room on the morning of June 24. Witness .said; " I asked before I got out of bed what the trouble was. He replied: 'My girli has turned me down after I had given her £24 and the last £7. She turned me down, also her people.' " Accused's Condition in Hospital. Dr. D. P. O'Brien, of the medical Btaff of the Auckland Hospital, said accused was admitted to the institution about 11 a.m. on June 24. He was unconscious and was in a state of severe collapse. Witness examined him and found that there was no sign of burning on his face, but his month and throat suggested that he had taken some substance which had a corrosive effect. . After treatment the accused recovered quickly and was conscious late that night. Within 48 hours he was fairly normal. He complained of pain in the throat, pain in swallowing and pain in the abdomenHe was depressed, until about five days after 'his admission. He was, made witness' case and was under l his observation for about eight days. Mr. Kelly: During that time did he show any mental abnormalities ? Witness: In my opinion he showed cone. Unidentified Man's Purchases. Rjith Constance Pinson, an assistant in a city store, said that about 8.30 a.m. on June 24 a man came up and handed her a knife " from the'cutlery counter. She sold it to him for Is. She did not look at the man and did not know what he looked like. Another .assistant at the same store, Clara Dunster, said that on the morning referred to she noticed a Maori walking up and down in front of the cutlery department. She saw him pick up a knife and hand it to Miss Pinson. She could not - identify him, but he' was about 35 years of age. Frank D.feas Menzies, chemist, of Queen Street; said that about 4 p.m. on June 23 a Maori bought from,,him a bottle of disinfectant. Witness said he would not be able to identify the Maori.

Relations with Deceased Woman. V Wini Anaru, of 46, Brighton Road, Parnell, said he had met accused on relief work at Henderson before Easter this year.- Accused had stayed with him for about six weeks before the tragedy. Accused slept in the same room as witness. On June 24 accused rose before daybreak. He said he had not slept well. He left the house at 6 a.m. after saying he would be back 'at 8 a.m. "I noticed nothing unusual about him," said witness.

Mr. Noble (cross-examining): Mrs. Johnson and accused were very friendly ;when they visited your home ? Witness: Yes. They were making love. When you visited Mrs. Johnson with accused during her illness, they were still very friendly?— Yes; making love. She said, "Jimmy (as I was known), take care of my husband," meaning Rameka. A taxi-driver, William George Whfto, of 8, Alexander Street, Glenmore, said he had driven ' accused to ■ Brighton Road about two months ago. Witness gave details of his engagement to convey Mrs. Johnson, Queenie Lawrence and accused to various places on several occasions. Accused's Statement when Charged. Mr. Kenneth surgeon, of 'Auckland, said that on June 24 he examined Queenie Lawrence at the Auckland Hospital. She had a deep cut across the back of the right arm a little above the •wrist. Her face was covered by brown stains and the eyelids were much swollen. The; condition of her face could have been brought - about by the application of a certain disinfectant. " On July 4 I charged Rameka, who •was in the hospital, with the murder of Gwendoline Alice Johnson," said Detec-tive-Sergeant Bickerdike. " I told him ■who wo were and asked him if he understood English. He replied that he did. In answer to the charge he said: "I do not understand 'Gwendoline Alice Johneon,' I knew her as 'Dnscoll.' He was discharged from hospital the same day and brought before the Court. The evidence was heard of several other police officers associated with the case. The charge was again read to Rameka,

who wan asked the usual question as to whether, he had anything to say in reply. Mr. Noble replied on behalf of t ; accused that he had nothing to say, and ihat the defence would be reserved. '*■ Itameka was then committed for trial.