PONSONBY MURDER TRIAL

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 12062, 26 May 1920, Page 5

PONSONBY MURDER TRIAL

Per Pr ess Association. Auckland, May 25 The trial of Dennis Gmm on a charge cf murdering A E Braithwaite, Postmaster at Ponsonby, on March 13th last, was continued in the Supreme Court to-day, when further evidence for the Crown was heard. The greater portion of the evidence was a repetition of that given in the lower court, and dealt with the discovery of the robbery at the Post Office and accused’s movements on the day of the murder. Detective Sergeant Cummings said he had obtained a signed statement from Thomas Gunn, brother of the accused, to the effect that he had not seen the accused between 6 p. m and 10 p. m on the day of the murder. Mr Beal, for the accused, said he was instructed by Thomas Gunn that he told Detective Sergeant Cummings he left his brother at 7 p.m The statement in question was written in a notebook produced by Detective Sergeant Cummings. Mr Read asked to see the figure. He said he did not wish to make any suggestion, but his instructions were that the hour given was 7 p.m. The notebook was handed over and Mr Read invited the Crown to put the book in, saving that for formal reasons he did not care to put it in himself. He wished- to have the figure examined by an expert. He stated, however, that he had always found Detective Sergeant Cummings’ evidence straightforward and sincere Eventually the book was handed to the Registrar pending examination at a later stage. His Honour ruled that questions bearing on police investigations which were not given in evidence •were not admissable.

The rase was adjourned till to morrow.