PICTON TRAGEDY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17944, 23 November 1932, Page 11

PICTON TRAGEDY

murds& Allegation

DOCTORS GIVE EVIDENCE

(Per Press Association.) BLENHEIM, this day

The trial of Edward Tarrant, who is charged with the muidpr, atfJßicton, on November 3, 1931, of an old-man named James Flood, was continued to-day. James Flood, a nephew of thg deceased, gave evidence regarding; the deceased’s investments and mode, of living. Beneficiaries under the will were himself, two brothers, two sisters, and three cousins.

Under cross-examination, the witness denied that he had borrowed money in anticipation of a legacy under his uncle’s will.

The witness was questioned;, closely concerning his whereabouts at the time of the murder. He denied that he did not get on with his uncle. On the night of the alleged murder witness was on tlie foreshore till about 8 o’clock, when he returned home with a friend.

Two other nephews deposed as to the reluctance of the deceased to lend money. , , n Dr. E. W. Smythe detailed minutely the results of examinations of the body of the deceased, including injuries and two neck wounds which could only have been caused by a.heavy, sharp instrument used with considerable force. He concluded that the deceased was struck a violent blow on the,back of the head from behind by a left-handed man. The axe produced could have caused the injuries. Cross-examined, the witness said that if the deceased turned as a blow was struck in a right-handed manner, it is possible that the injuries could have been received.

Dr. Philip Lynch, pathologist, explained that one of his specialities was deducing the cause and means of death by a post-mortem examination. He detailed at length the results of his conclusions from an examination of tho body. The back of an axe would produce the wounds in the head and neck. The wounds would result from a blow from an axe.

(Proceeding)