MURDER OF MR MULLINS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15855, 29 August 1913, Page 5

MURDER OF MR MULLINS

A CHARGE WITHDRAWN. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. HOB ART, August 28. (Received Aug. 28, at 9.55 p.m.) In connection with the murder of Mr Mullins Mrs Jones has been discharged.. The police ■withdrew the charge against the accused on the ground of insufficient evidence. The inquest touohing the death of Wm. Jas. Mullins, fcho farmer who mysteriously disappeared from his homo at Tyne River, near Mathinna, on June 20, was concluded on the 12th inst. The coroner, in summing up, said that in his opinion all persons in the vicinity had proved a satisfactory alibi except Daniel Jones and his wife, whoso actions and evidenco were most unsatisfactory. Jones had a motive and opportunity to carry out the deed. The coroner stated that ho believed more than one person was concerned at least in tho burning of the body. After a retirement of two hours, tho iur.v returned a verdict as follows:-" Wo find that tho remains found in the ashes were those of Wm. Jas. Mullins; that Mullins was murdered on June 20 in the vicinity .of Tea-tree Scrub, where tho hammer and traps found, and that Daniel Jones is the taan wlio committed the crime, his wife being accessory after the fact." Daniel Jones was theii asked by the coroner if he wished to Bay anything- in answer to the charge. / Ho said: "I am not satisfied with the inquest, for I never hurt the man in any way." The corpner then committed Jones for trial at the next sittings of tho Supreme Court. Jane Elizabeth Jones, his wife, was then also placed under arrest on a charge of being accessory' after the fact. Jonos was removed under arrest, wliilo in Mr» Jones's rase tho coroner fixed bail in t'.vo sureties of £100 each.