CHARGE OF MURDER

Southland Times, Issue 25747, 10 August 1945, Page 4

CHARGE OF MURDER

Motor Driver Committed For Trial

(P.A.) TE KUITI, August 9. On a charge of the murder of Lois Ypres Fitzgerald on July 22, Keith Bennett, a motor driver and soldier, aged 26, appeared in the Magistrate’s Court. Senior Detective W. Murray conducted the police evidence and Mr W. W. King, of Auckland, for the accused entered a plea of not guilty. The accused was committed to the Supreme Court at Hamilton for trial. Mrs Fitzgerald, who was 25 years of age, was living apart from her husband.

D’Arcy Here Tangihaere, in evidence, stated that after attending the pictures with the deceased he was sitting with her behind a road hedge near her residence in Rata street, Te Kuiti, when Bennett came up with a gun. He threatened to do them both in and then shoot himself. Both remonstrated. Eventually, with the remark, “Well I’m determined to do -what I came to do,” Bennett shot the deceased. Tangihaere brought a doctor. The deceased was removed to hospital and died at 8 o’clock in the morning. Medical evidence' was that the heart was pierced by shotgun pellets. Harry Te Aroha Barton stated that five gallons of beer were taken to his house on the evening of July 21. Eight or more persons were present, including the accused. Most of the party were merry, but no one was drunk. Constable F. G. Reid said he was awakened and informed of the crime by the accused, who said he had shot the woman.