Roadman's Death Remains Mystery

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 662, 14 May 1929, Page 1

Roadman's Death Remains Mystery

IHAY have been accident several theories adv anced (Srtdal to THE SUN) OPOTIKI, Today. In the absence of any further development in connection with the death of the surfaceman, Samuel McAleese, who was found »hot on the Papamoa Hill, numerous theories are being advanced as to what actually occurred. One theory is that McAleese and pother had been engaged in a struggle and that the dead man was knocked down and then shot. This is borne out by the fact that the bullet bad entered the body near the heart and travelled in an upward direction to th 6 shoulder blade. It is also thought in some quarters that the murder did not take place where the body was found, as there was no sign of any struggle. The jnarks on McAleese’s mouth seem to tnggest that he had beeu struck there with some violence. A struggle could have taken place anywhere in the bush nearby and then the murderer could have carried the body to where it, was found on the road. ACCIDENT THEORY

The possibility of accident cannot ha dismissed, and as new facts come to light this theory is gaining many (supporters. The rifle which was undoubtedly responsible for McAleese’s death belonged to liim and it was his habit to carry it with him on the chance of shooting a rabbit. The weapon, when taken apart, could be placed in n sack with the stock removed, and jet be capable of being fired. With this much established it is not improvable that the following is what happened: With his loaded rifle in his sack with the barrel protruding from the open end, McAleese arrives at the spot where he is to work. He throws down the sack and the impact causes the rifle to discharge, and the bullet by an unfirtunate mischance shoots him through the heart. He falls face downward and in doing so breaks his nose and injures his lip. ’ investigation of the wound proved that the bullet travelled upward, a argument that the shot came from the ground. The sack was 10 feet away from the body and as there was no scorching of the clothing, as there would have been it the shot had been lired at close quarters, it is not unlikely that the shot was fired from In feet away. The position in which the body was found somewhat confounds the accident theory, but assuming that it was an accident it is not inconceivable that the body was moved by some unknown but perfectly innocent person. Any person finding a dead body with 6 bullet wound in the chest and a hfle in a sack might easily be pardoned for shifting the body out of the 'ay of any traffic, and then getting away as quickly as possible in case anyone else should come along and accuse him of committing a murder. The pieces of the rifle, the bullet and the clothing ha ve been forwarded to Auckland. An effort is being made •0 find fingerprints. The dead man’s nothing will be examined carefully for any trace of a clue and also the bullet.