MOTU RIVER MURDER

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11163, 20 March 1922, Page 5

MOTU RIVER MURDER

THE TRIAL CONTINUED WITNESS’S ALLEGATIONS OF CONFESSION IN GAOL. MAN WITH BAD RECORD. PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. GISBORNE, March 18. In the Motu river murder case Tisdall, gunsmith, Rotorua, in cross-ex-amination, said h-e could not say to what type of cartridge the number five shot found in Zanibucca belonged. Number five shot was not a popular size in New Zealand. Detective McLeod said he obtained a statement from the accused. Counsel for the accused raised an objection. He said the statements wore replies to a cross-examination through an interpreter. Tt was probable accused would give lying answers. , The judge held that tho statements were in order. Constable Neal deposed that when Peeti, accused’s brother, was arrested he (Peeti) said it was through the actions of other people he was in this trouble. The accused, Rutene, had not replied to the charge.

Whare Matonga gave evidence that accused told him in gaol he shot Zamhucca, stole £163 and a watch, and planted the body. Accused told him his brother had turned on him. Witness received no information about the case except from accused. To counsel for the accused: In his own case the judge had not believed him, He admitted that at 18 he was gaoled for rape for ten years, and then was sent to gaol for two years for indecent assault, and subsequently got one month’s imprisonment for theft, and was now serving three years for assault. The trial is proceeding.