OLD MAN MURDERED

Southland Times, Issue 18967, 14 June 1923, Page 5

OLD MAN MURDERED

SHOT THROUGH CHEST YOUTH CONFESSES CRIME NO MOTIVE REVEALED. (Per United Press Association.) ASHBURTON, June 13. Albert Frederick Maxwell Kissel, 18, a ploughman employed by David Little near Coldstream, 25 miles south of Ashburton, was arrested this afternoon charged with the murder of James Henry Suring McKenzie, aged 65, caretaker at the homestead of Mr John Studholme, on the Coldstream Estate, by a rifle shot. Kissel belongs to Lobum, North Canterbury, and is a well-built lad. The deceased is believed to have come from Lyttelton and worked for some time at Quail Island. Particulars to hand are to the effect that Kissel went to work as usual this morning. After working some hours he mentioned to his employer that he shot McKenzie on the previous night. A visit to> the homestead was made, and it was found that McKenzie was lying dead on the floor in his pyjamas, shot through the chest, with a 44-bore sporting rifle. Kissel said that he did. not know why be shot him. It is understood that they had been friendly, Kissel frequently spending evenings with McKenzie after work. The police believe that Kissel suffered from delusions. The body was brought to the morgue and arrangements were made for a post mortem. Accused will be brought before the Court to-morrow, when a remand will be asked for eight days to enable accused to be kept under observation.