ST. KILDA TRAGEDY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15553, 7 September 1912, Page 13

ST. KILDA TRAGEDY

.TURNER COMMUTED FOR TRIAL

Robert Turner, charged with liic murder of liis son, Percy John Turner, at Si. Hilda on August 31, was again before the City Police Court yesterday moriiing, Mr .1. It Rarlholoinew, S.M., presiding. Mr 11. U. Bedford appeared for the accused. After accused had been formally charged, Inspector Dwycr said that the facts wero so well known that he did not proposo to occupy the time of the court by going over llicm a?ain, but would simply proceed to call his evidence. The. first witness, Robert Franklin Tumor. » son of tho accused, said thai the worked iU Hudson's biscuit factory. Tho deceased was liis brother. On Saturday last ho went to work at 7 a.m. He, saw his brother Percy beforo leaving. Percy was then in bed. Witness returned at 12.30 for lunch, but Percy was not at home when ho returned. Ho camo homo at 1 o'clock, and had his dinner, and then went out to clean his boots. Ho then went inside, and commenced to pack his tax, but ho did not say why ho was doing that. It was not usual for 'him to pack liis box on a Saturday. Dcccawd noxt went to a room next to tho stable to get n ropo to tic his box with, but instead of returning to the house he went to tho stable. Whilst liis brother was standing thero witness heard a shot, and paw deceased fall. Witness ran out to him. Ho said nothing. Accused came out of tho stable and went back again. Ho was carrying a gun—tho ono produced. Accused closed tho stable door and pointed the gun nt witness, but did not say Anything. Wit. jicss pointed tho revolver, which he had picked up at the slablo door, at accused. Jlie revolver wits loaded in every chamber. Witness gavo it to Mr Aslin, who drew tho bullets. When witness levelled the revolver accused came out of tho stable, throw the gun at witness, and ran out into tho street. Witness threw tho gun back at accused, who picked it up .and went away. The deceased was about 10ft from tho stable door when ho fell. Ho was carried into tho house, and a doctor was sent for. Witness had not heard any words or seen any trouble between the. deceased and the accused that morning. They quarrelled occasionally becauco accused would not work.

To Mr Bedford: Witness watched through fho window when Percy went outside. 110 was not watching particularly. When Percy was shot ho was standing just about the place where llic revolver was picked up. It was when witness had the revolver in his hand that accused pointed the gim at him. Deceased did not say anything when witness got to 'hin'i. At different limes deceased had wanted his father to go out of tlio home becauso ho would not work. Witness did not know whether his father was frightened of Percy, tlmujrb the Utter liiwl threatened his father on (lilTerenl occasions. When Mr Aslin went to their 'house on the Saturday night witness handed him the revolver. To the Inspector oi Police,: Ho had never men cither tho riflo or the revolver before.

William Ross, builder, gave similar cvidenee to that given by him nt the inquest ns to hi.t meeting Turner on the road, taking the gun from liim, and accompanying _ him to the South Dunedin Police Stnlion.

Sergeant O'Coimoil giro evirienco (o tho effect that \t)icii Turner, ncompr.nicd by ltosj, arrived <it the South Duncdin .Station the former said thsl ho had como to give himself up. |]e said that lie had shot his son. but that it had been in self-defence, his son having a revolver, and Ihrcilesing to shoot him To Mr Bedford: Ho did not make the reinarl: about self-defence as an aside to witness, but openly and in the hearing of all present. Dr Roberts garo evidence as to Hie "ten* of deceased's injuries and the result (if the post-mortem examination which he bat. conducted on tiie hod v. The cause of dralli was loss of blood through a hidlet wound in (he lung. , ~ This concluded tlie cose for the prosecution, i II Mr Bedford said that accused would reserve liis d( fence. Accusal was committed for trial at tho next sessions of the Supreme Court.