THE CAPTURE OF BATSON

Southland Times, Issue 19173, 18 February 1924, Page 5

THE CAPTURE OF BATSON

PRISONER’S STATEMENT. “DRIVEN TO THE DEED." (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright! (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association). SYDNEY, February 17. Batson, who last Sunday fired on a picnic party at Jingellic, fatally wounding one man, was arrested at 11 ami. on a farm belonging to Mr James Drummond, on the Victoria side of the Murray River. Conversing with the Drummond boys, who effected the capture, prior to the arrival of the police, Batson said that he was unaware that one of his victims had died. His capture created intense excitement, crowds assembling at Jingellic to view the prisoner, but no attempt was made to molest him. Batson stated that he had been driven to do the deed and that more would be heard of the circumstances. He added that he had been hunted off the hills by the police the night before his capture and slept on the bank of the river near where he was arrested. This was the same spot where, earlier in the week, he swam the river and left his rifle and clothes. Batson added: “I only hope they give me a fair trial. If they do I will let them know something. I was driven to this.” When arrested he was hardly able to walk. He was without*boots or shirt, with his hair long and shaggy, and he bore the appearance of a harmless, simple creature. Batson was unarmed, but produced a tin of cyanide and asked the boys to destroy it. They handed it to the police, who asked Batson if he was aware he had committed murder. He replied : “No, I only fired at two. I was driven to it.” He also stated that he had concealed two revolvers, one near Drummond’s and the other near Barber’s, but search failed tc reveal them. BATSON CHARGED. KING’S DYING DEPOSITIONS. SYDNEY, February 17 (Received February 18, 12.35 a.m.) Batson was taken to the bedside of King, one of the victims, who is still in a very low condition in the hospital, where his dying depositions were read. King, in the statement, said he knew Batson. He did not know if he was shot because he saw no one else to shoot at. He could give no reason why he should shoot him or do him harm. There was no bad feeling between them. Subsequently at the Police Court Batson was remanded to February 29 on a charge of murdering Shepherd. Five other charges of shooting with intent to murder and eluding arrest were preferred.