CYCLIST’S DEATH'

Southland Times, Issue 21627, 12 February 1932, Page 6

CYCLIST’S DEATH'

THE KARERE CASE MURDER TRIAL CONTINUED EVIDENCE OF GUN EXPERTS (Per United Preps Association.) Palmerston North, February 11. The trial of Norman Robert Decke entered upon its fourth day when the hearing of expert evidence concerning. rifles and cartridges was commenced. This will complete the testimony in the case for the Crown and the trial will probably conclude to-morrow. Dr C. Hector, of Wellington, who gave evidence that he had had extensive experience of microscopical work including the taking of photo micrographs, stated that he received a Walther rifle of .22 calibre, No. 31342, and also other articles. Test shots had been fired with the same brand of ammunition as that found on the roadside. An examination of the shells disclosed that the striker impression was pear-shaped, which was produced only by a Walther rifle. Three shells which also represented the same characteristic impression comprised one picked up at the scene of the tragedy, one test shell fired with accused’s rifle and one found near the whare. Certain extractor and ejector marks on them were only found with shells from a Walther rifle.

Dr Hector stated that nine points of agreement, between the test shells from the suspect rifle and one of the shells obtained at the roadside had been found. Witness had come to the conclusion that the shell found on the roadside and the test shells examined had been fired from the same gun. None of the other rifles examined had the same injury. He was convinced that the cartridges found at the scene of the murder had been fired from Decke’s rifle. Tests had been made of the bullet taken from deceased’s left lung, the bullet having four grooves and four crimping marks, the latter being confined to Western ammunition. The bullet found on the Karere roadside showed the same marks. Dr Hector said tHat none of the 400 shells fired from other Walther rifles showed the same score mark, burst on the rim or striker impression as the shells from the suspect rifle. Cross-examined, witness said that with the pulling of the trigger while the gun was unloaded, any other Walther rifle would make a similar injury to the barrel but not the same. It would not be worn to the same extent. Witness stated that prior to the lower Court hearing he spent 206 hours making the comparisons .and tests dealt with in the evidence.

Frederick Paliser Morley, Professor of Chemistry at Auckland University, said he had experience in the examination of bullets in the Denis Gunn case. He had been interested in guns all his life. He was in general agreement with the conclusions arrived at by Dr Hector. Having examined all the exhibits, witness added he was much impressed with the high quality of Dr Hector’s work and the accuracy of his conclusions. He had a very high standard in investigation work.

William Donovan, Dominion Analyst, gave the result of his investigation into stains on the cleaning rags put through Decke’s rifles. He detected the presence of metallic copper and soluble potassium. A compound analysis of the lead and antimony in the bullet found in Blakeway’s arm showed that it was Western ammunition. From a portion of Blakeway’s coat sleeve, he obtained a distinct reaction to the potassium compound where it was powder stained. Sidney T. Tisdall, gun and rifle expert, said there was very' obvious injury to the rim of the chamber of Decke’s gun caused by frequent releasing of the trigger when empty. He was of the opinion that the injury was peculiar to a Walther rifle. Four grooved rifles were most uncommon, this being confined to the Walther. The Savage had a peculiar action of its own in that it fired either automatically as a repeater or as a single shot gun. Shells ejected from Walther rifles could be identified by the imprint of the striker, and secondly by the relative positions of the marks left by the striker, extractor and ejector. The shells found on the road at Decke’s whare and fired by himself through accused’s rifle all bore the same characteristic marking of Walther rifles, as well as the impression left by injury on the rim chamber.

The case for the prosecution concluded and counsel stated he’ did not propose to call evidence and the Court adjourned till to-morrow morning for counsels’ addresses and his Honour’s summing up.