THE MIAMI TRIAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21723, 15 August 1932, Page 7

THE MIAMI TRIAL

CASE FOR THE DEFENCE EXPERT ALLEGES SUICIDE; (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph— Copyright.) MIAMI, August 12. ' The bullet-pierced skull of Baden Clarke was brought into court to-day, along with slides showing parts of the head, by Dr M. H. Tallman, a witness for the defence and one of a commission of four specialists who conducted ’the autopsy. Two bullet holes marking the entrance and exit were pointed out by Dr Tallman. As the jurors leaned forward with expressions varying from acute interest to horror Captain Lancaster peered intently at the skull. Using the skull and the fatal pistol to illustrate his testimony. Arthur Hamilton, a criminologist 6f Auburn, New York, told the jury that lie was absolutely convinced that Clarke committed suicide. “ There is not a scintilla of evidence here to show that Clarke was murdered. There js every indication of suicide,” Mr Hamilton added. He said that a microscopical examination of the pistol showed blood tissue on the front sight, indicating that it was pressed firmly against Clarke when the shot was fired. Taking the skull in his hands, Mr Hamilton stepped down before the jury, eventually passing the skull to each member of the jury. \ “ The skull shows five radial fractures, made not by the bullet, but by the exploding gases that followed the bullet,” Mr Hamilton said. • He added that the ballooning of the flesh around the wound and the discolouration of the skullbones showed conclusively that the pistol was held firmly against the head when the bullet was fired. He held the pistol against his own .head and snapped the trigger to demonstrate the point, showing the position in which the pistol was held when the bullet entered Clarke’s head. V

The jury was taken to the former home of Mrs Miller to inspect the scene of the shooting.