BODY ON A FIRE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20743, 14 June 1929, Page 10

BODY ON A FIRE.

AN ALL-NIGHT VIGIL. A sensational,statement was made by Edward Manance, charged with the murder of an old man named Jack Green, near £urat, on April 12, at his trial at Roma, New South Wales, recently. He admitted'burning the body of the murdered man in a fire, but said his death was accidental. After an argument with the old man, Manance described how both became very excited. Green then came toward him, he said, swinging an axe.

“I stepped quickly toward him with the object of taking the axe,” accused said, “ and in the scuffle I pushed him, which half turned him round toward the wagonette. He fell forward, striking his forehead and face on the wheel, and fell on his face on the ground. I got the axe, and then went back to the fire. I remained them a few minutes, and as the old man had not moved I went back to him and rolled him on his back. I saw be was bleeding from the nose and mouth. I got a towel, wiped the blood from his face, and destroyed it in the fire. I

“ I saw he was dead, and became very frightened. My nerves were all twitching, and I lost complete control of myself. I picked up the body and carried it across to the fire. I placed it on the fire, heaped more wood on it, and remained by the fire all night, keeping it going. I left the scene about 7 o’cfock next morning,”