THE STRONVAR TRAGEDY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3419, 26 September 1919, Page 28

THE STRONVAR TRAGEDY.

ACCUSED COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. MASTER'i'ON, September 19.

In the Magistrate's Court to-day, before Mr Free, S.M., James Reside was charged with having murdered Christopher Can- at Stronvar on Seiotember 6. 'lhe accused appeared .n tiio dock with his neck bandaged, and was accommodated with a chair. Apart iroin being somewhat pale, he showed no signs of physical distress, and listened to the evidence with apparent Jjack ot interest. Mr R. R. Bu.ri.id.ge appeared for the Crown, and Mr 0. Pragneli ior the acCUSGQ The evidence was similar to that given at the inquest. Constable Lethbridge, of Wellington, who had been guarding accused at the hospital, "stated that Reside asked it witness had seen a paper containing a report of the inquest, and said, "I hope the man —" Witness warned him that anything he might say would be used in evidence against him. Accused then replied "I do not care. I will say it to my dyin»- day." Constable Penson deposed that°at the hospital accused had said to him, " R I had done what I intended i would have been well on the other side of the Jordan. That is what I ought to have done and completed the job. I could not reach the trigger, as the barrel of the sun was too long. I intended to use a boot lace, but was hustled. I then heard you coming, and used a razor." Accused was then charged with the murder. At the hosoital he made no statement. After other evidence had been taken, the accused pleaded not guilty, reserved his defence and was committed for trial at the next criminal sessions of the Supreme Court at Wellington.