FATAL KNIFE WOUND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22269, 23 May 1934, Page 8

FATAL KNIFE WOUND

THE STATION TRAGEDY MURDER CHARGE WITHDRAWN THE ACCUSED ACQUITTED (Peb United Press Association.) NAPIER, May 22. The charge against Henry Capewell of»murdering John Williams at Porangabau on March 11 last was continued before Mr Justice Blair. Dr Raymond, in cross-examination, said that all the wounds, except one, on the deceased could have been inflicted in a struggle for the possession of a knife. It was conceivable that even the fatal wound was commenced with the knife held by the deceased, but in such a case the deceased must have released his hold before the wound was completed. His Honor: And the further back the deceased’s arm was pushed the greater would be the tendency for the deceased’s hand to open? Witness: Yes.

Dr Fisher said that the fatal wound could not have been inflicted if the deceased had been holding the knife. The wound required considerable force. At the conclusion of the Crown’s case hie Honor remarked that it was either a case of manslaughter or nothing. Mr Harper (for the accused): In the circumstances I will not call evidence. The Crown Prosecutor: It would bo wrong of me as reprecenting the Crown to ask the jury to convict on the murder charge. The jury found the accused not guilty on the charge of manslaughter. “I may say I think you are quite right,” commented his Honor to the foreman of the jury on its return. Capewell was accordingly discharged.