AMAZING STORY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18759, 16 July 1935, Page 5

AMAZING STORY

SHARK ARM MYSTERY STATEMENTS BY HOLMES ALLEGED THREATS BLACKMAIL AND MURDER (Elec. Tel. Copyright,—United Press Assn.) SYDNEY, July 15. The inquiry into the supposed death of James Smith was continued this afternoon. Detective Caiman said that when Brady was taken to the police station on May 31, he asked whether Holmes had made a statement, to which Detective Allmond replied that Holmes had made two statements. These statements were shown to Brady, who said that the first was all lies, but the second was all right. ‘ , The second statement alleged to have been made by Reginald Holmes Was read jn the court. . It stated, inter alia:—“One Sunday evening Smith came to my house, and asked me for £SO. I said: “I have not go any £SO to give you.’ He said: ‘I only want a loan of it. I can get it from my brother to-morrow and repay youj but I have to find it to-night. This is a life and death matter. If I don’t get this money they will shoot me.’ I said: Who are they?’ He said: ‘Brady and his friends; they blame me for putting the cops on to them over a cheque. ’ I did not give him any money. “Since then Smith never made any requests to me for money. Brady had been demanding money from me for months. He came to me one day arid said: ‘The police are after me. 1 have to clear out, I want a loan of some money.’ I said: ‘No, I don’t know you, and I won’t lend you any money at all.’ He said: ‘That will do me. I have enough information about you to cripple you with the bank and put. you in goal over the Pathfinder, and unless 1 get what I what I will fix you. ’ I gave him the money, I think it was £lO, because I was frightened of him." “I KILLED THE " . . The alleged statement went on to mention other occasions on which Holmes stated he had given Brady money. • It continued:—“Prior to Brady’s departure for Tasmania he told ine that Smith the had squealed over a cheque and had put one of his mates in gaol. About 7 a.m. one day early in April, Brady telephoned me .to say he was coming to see me on an urgent, matter. He appeard upset and was dirty and, untidy. He. asked for a drink and I gave him some brandy. He ,said: ‘I want you to keep your mouth shut about what I told you about Smith. I have never had any trouble with Smith.’ I said: ‘What is this all about?’ He said: ‘I had a row with Smith, and I, have .done for him.’ I said: ‘What are you saying?’ He said: ‘I killed the —. Any squeak qjat, of you and you win also get yours. If lam not able to get you one of my cobbers will. All I want you to remember is that if anything. comes out about 'Smith, you know nothing about me at all, and I do not know you.’ • “He left then. He came back to, my place that night, and said: ‘I spilled a bit too much this morning, and if I. 'hear even a whisper of it, you will get yours.’ I said: ‘You must be found out sooner or later. What about this body?’ He said: ‘They won’t get that. I dumped that in a tin trunk outside Port Hacking. You might as well know the lot, because then I will know-who squealed if anything comes out, and if the police ever take me you will get yours. They will see to that.’ He was continually (threatening me. I was afraid of him both for myself and for the safety of nij' family." The alleged statement continued: — “Brady was arrested on May 16 and the police interviewed me about May 17. I said I did not know Brady. I was later confronted with Brady, and I said I did not know him. I was terrified about what -would happen to me and that is why I denied knowing him. I was not .at Cronulla during the last 12 months until I went there with the police on May 28." NOT A POLICE BILLET Cross-examined by Mr Evatt, Detective Caiman said that when the police had taken Brady to Cronulla after his arrest, they had called at a hotel, where they had two drinks. Mr Evatt: What did you have? Detective Caiman: Rum. Mr Evatt: And Brady had riini,"too? Detective Caiman: Yes. The magistrate: Is that material? Mr Evatt: Of course it is. They took him back to the Crimnial Investigation Bureau after giving him rum. Do you think it is right for the police investigating a murder charge to give a man rum and bring him back to make a statement? Further cross-examined, Detectivo Caiman denied that beer had been brought into a room at the Criminal Investigation Bureau where Brady was talking with the .detectives. Ho denied standing at Brady’s elbow and keeping his glass full. Mr Evatt then questioned Detective Caiman about the police pursuit of Holmes on the harbor some days prior to the latter’s death. “Were you the police officer who took possession of the bullet with which Holmes was shot in the first instance?” Mr Evatt asked. Detective Caiman replied: “Yes.” Mr Evatt: Will you deny that it was a police bullet? —It certainly was not a police bullet. Mr Evatt: You and another detective watched over Holmes while he was in hospital?—Yes. Mr Evatt: Do you know he was treated for drug addiction during that period?—No. The magistrate interposed: “It, is a wicked thing to make such a suggestion if there is no evidence to support it,”' Mr Evatt: It is a wicked thing for the police to withhold information. Detective Caiman added .that Holmes was suffering from the effects of drink and that an empty brandy bottle was found. Mr Evatt: That may be the explanation. The case was adjourned till to-mor-row, when it is expected to conclude.