DEFENCE’S THEORY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17947, 26 November 1932, Page 15

DEFENCE’S THEORY

THE PICTON MURDER JURY TO VISIT THE SCEHE (Per Press Association.) BLENHEIM, this day. In the Supreme Court this morning the trial was resumed of Edward Tarrant, who is' charged with the murder at Pic ton on November 3, 1931, of James Flood.

llits Honor referred to the arrangements made for the jury to inspect, The locality of the crime, and ibis drew from Mr Barry the defence’s theory of the crime. He said file defence would suggest that the murderer, whoever ho might have been, resided somewhere on the east side of Devon street, and that alter leaving Flood’s cottage lie proceeded from Devon street by means of u short- cut across a vacant section next to Pratt’s, and then diagonally across the croquet lawn. The defence would suggest that lie dropped the key as he went and that later he planted the wallet under the croquet lawn hedge, covering it with leaves. Here Tarrant found it early in January. It would be admitted that he had no right to retain the money, but the fact that he did so did not mean he was a murderer. It would be admitted that he attempted to mislead the police as to his possession of the money until bowled out, when he told the truth (that lie had found it Detective llall was cross-examined at length. Witness admitted that the police had taken a pair of khaki trousers belonging to the accused and a coat which was afterwards found to belong to his son. They had on them what appeared to bo bloodstains. ine stain on the coat was explained by the fact that the son had a wound on his arm.

Detective Jarrold detailed the search for the wallet and of accused’s house, the evidence given being similar to •that in the lower court.

The court adjourned at 1 p.m. to enable the jury to visit the scene of the murder. The trial will be resumed on Monday morning.