GOLDFIELD MURDERS

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12538, 30 August 1926, Page 6

GOLDFIELD MURDERS

WAS SHOOTING ACCIDENTAL? ACCUSED’S STORY TOLD IN COURT “THE GUN WENT OFF” By Telegranh.— Press A .-un.—Copyright. PERTH, August 28. Counsel for the accused, in addressing the jury in tlie Kalgoorlie murder case, gave Trelfene’s version of the shooting. He snid that Detectives Walsh and Pitman were watching Troffene, who was working alone. The two officers were expecting a mate of Treffene to come along, as the tracks of a motor-car wheels were visible in the vicinity. Eventually Treffene left tho plant, carrying a shotgun over his shoulder and a bar of gold in liis left hand, and proceeded down the bush track. The detectives then called out : “Hold on, Phil, we wnnt you.” Treffene began to run away, and the two detectives gave chase. When the police we re close to him he stumbled and nearly fell, making a grab for his gun, which went off. Treffene dropped the gnn ami then noticed Pitman in the act of falling, and Walsh, too, staggered and fell to the ground, evidently shot through the jugular vein, while Pitman wns shot in the eye. Treffene got Walsh a drink of water, but Pitman meanwhile ceased breathing. Treffene then went to get something to staunch Walsh’s bleeding, but when he returned the man was dead. Clarke came along later, and peisuaded Treffene not to tell tho police as he desired to do. They then returned to Boulder, but Clarke went out to the plant tho same night. The next morning he told Treffene that he had tried to burn the bodies, but could not manage it and had cut them up.