MURDER ON LONELY ROAD

Taranaki Daily News, 8 February 1928, Page 7

MURDER ON LONELY ROAD

CONSTABLE SHOT TO DEATH ALLEGED KILLERS CHARGED PUBLIC CROWD INTO COURT By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Feb. 7, 7.30 p.m. A. and N.Z. London, Feb. 6. A dramatic surprise was sprung the South-western police court to-day when Kennedy and Browne, who it alelged murdered Constable Gutteridge in September, were charged, ostensibly with the theft of a car. The Director of Public Prosecutions, when the names were called, informed the magistrate that the men would be charged with murder of the who was found dead in a lonely Essex road on September 26, 1927, with a pencil clutched in his hand and a notebook near. There were four bullet wounds in his head and neck, two of which were fired at a distance, the other two with the muzzle pressed close to each eye, both eyes being shattered. It was thought that motorists se hact accosted had committed the crime. Such interest was manifested at the court to-day that the police had to force the crowd back from the pavement and everyone was questioned before being allowed to enter the doors, each of which was guarded by four policemen. Policemen stood between the two men and round the dock.

Chief-inspector Barrett gave evidence that when told they would be charged Kennedy did not reply, while Browne answered: “It is absurd; I know nothing about it.”