CANADIAN SOLDIER'S DEATH

Otago Witness, Issue 3239, 12 April 1916, Page 31

CANADIAN SOLDIER'S DEATH

OFFICER CHARGED WITH MURDER

STORY OF A TERRIBLE CRIME

{From Ocn Own Correspondent.)

LONDON, December 21

On December 8 the body of Sergeant Henry Marquis Ozanne, canteen sergeant, 9th Canadian Mounted Rifles, Bramshott Camp, was found dead in a stable at Arundel Grayshott. Next day Lieutenant Georges Codere, acting adjutant of the 41st (Montreal) Canadian Infantry, was arrested in connection with, the death, and at the inquest yesterday a verdict of wilful murder against Lieutenant Codere was returned. The prisoner is a French Canadian.

Colonel Hodson, 9th Canadian Mounted Rifles, said that his battalion, arrived at Bramshott Camp on December 3, and some of the officers were quartered in the officers' mess of the 41st. A discussion arose about changing Canadian money, and Codore, who was present, offered to change any money at the best rate possible. In consequence of that he made a statement to the deceased. There was a considerable amount of money in the canteen funds, but he (witness) was presumably aware that £3OO had been handed Ozanne* as it had transpired at a Court of

Inquiry. Lance-corporal J. Keller, 41st Infantry, deposed that he was servant to Major Hughes, who with Colonel Archanibanli and Lieutenant Codere Occupied Arundel. One afternoon recently Mr Codere drove up with a soldier whom .the witness did not know. He could not identify Ozanno with the soldier. No one else was in the house at the time, and they both went into' the parlour. Later Codere came to the kitchen and said. "Have you some strong drink, Joe?" As witness did not understand, the officer took a bottle of whisky into the room where the soidie? was. "Keller went out to feed the hens, and on his return found Codere in the kitchen, who said, "Don't talk, Joe. I have just killed a man." Codere told the witness to get a bowl of water and go to a little room and wash the wall and the floor of blood. There was al?o blood in the passage leading to the cellar door. Codere said, " Wash up that blood." Keller began to do so while the officer - held the carpet up, and looked beneath to see whether there was any more blood about. A chum of Keller named Desjardins, came in, and Codere said, " Don't talk. Desjardinsl I've just killed a man." He afterwards told them to go down to the cellar, saying, " Go and see if he is thero (the dead body)." Ail three went down, but Desjardins after he went down five steps said. "I cannot help you." Codere said. "Then don't talk. Go to the grocer and get some steal: and grapes." Whim they went to the cellar Codere carried a flashlight, and by it they saw the body. It was lying on the bottom step. Then they all turned back. Codere brought a loaded stick, which was broken and-had blood on it, and told him to burn it. Codere told him to fetch two blankets, and together they went into the cellar, where Codere took hold of the body 'and placed it on a blanket, and told witness to help to carry the body into tho stable. Between them they carried the body out of the cellar into the stable, where. Codere told him to take some wire from a bale of straw. Pie added: "Raise him up: I will pass the wire under him," and then proceeded to tie the body up in the blanket. Afterwards they went into the house, an-i Codere told the witness to wash the carv-ing-knife, which was covered with blood. Keller said ho assisted to lock the stable door. Codere, who had been wandering about tho house, then washed his boots, which were covered with blood. Afterwards Codere brought a bottle of gasoline and said: "Take it; yon will tnke tho spots off our clothes." ' Soon after tho colonel and the major came in for supper. Keller could not say if Codere slept there that night, but he was not in his rocm in the morning. Keller admitted that he made no communication or statement t~) either of the officers that evening. He wan afraid to say anything about it in Ccriere'i presence, ' Next morning tho transport sergeant brought a packing-case to thfl house. The ease in question, about four by three, was brought into court. He did not see Codore use the gasoline, but he was wiping his clothing with a towel. In reply to a juror. Keller said that after Codere had admitted killing a man. he added: "Joe, I killed that man. There is only him who saw me kill (French, assomer) one man. That was why I killed

him. I was afraid to pass before a courtmartial." That night Codere dined with the major and colonel of his regiment, and appeared all right. R*ajor Hughes received the report of the affair and arrested Codere at Bramshott Camp.