MURDERER’S REPRIEVE

Taranaki Daily News, 11 October 1928, Page 11

MURDERER’S REPRIEVE

At the hearing of the case referred to in the message at the Brighton Police Court, Mr. R. M. Howe, prosecuting counsel, related how, on the night of April 14, Mr. Smith was attacked on the Brighton front and taken away in a motor car to the Downs, where he wan robbed ann battered. When lie managed to reach home, his wife did not know him, and slammed the door. On deceased’s clothing was found white, brown and green fluff, and from this clue the police commenced their inquiries. It was discovered that early this year Donovan bought a motor ear cheaply and Bold it to the other two prisoners on April 5. Taylor and Weaver resold it on April 23 with a view to it being broken up. When the police examined their car they found a torn cushion which contained brown and white wadding, similar to the fluff on Mr. Smith’s clothing. There was also a green mat, the pile of which was like the green fluff on deceased trousers. “There can be no doubt,” declared Mr, Howe, “that on the evening of An il 14 Mr. Smith was in that car.” Ho added that there was evidence that the three prisoners were in the company of an elderly man, similar in appearance to Mr. Smith, and all returned home about ten o’clock. Mr. Howe gave a dramatic narrative regarding the movements of Donovan after the night Mr. Smith was attacked. He explained that, before Mr. Smith’s death, Taylor was interviewed by Detective-Sergeant Wells. Accused then remarked’ “The car has been smashed up,” and asked, “Can the old man identify us!” At that time nothing had been said to Taylor about an old man or a car, and no mention about the affair had been made in the press. When asked to account for his movements on th© night in question, Taylor declined to answer. Weaver also refused to account for hie movements. Taylor and Weaver were taken to the police station, but wers alterwards released. They were rearrested after Mr. Smith’s death. Mr. Howe stated that Donovan had done no regular work since Christmas. After the attack he went away for three days, and when he returned he was wearing a new overcoat and new boots. The next day Donovan took his wife in a car to Bognor, and on the following day to the London Zoo. When Taylor and Weaver were taken to the police station, Donovan left the town, and visited various places. On May 10, he arrived in Hastings with his wife and child and secured lodgings with a Mrs. Spragg, whom he knew. He afterwards obtained work as a carpenter on a building opposite the house where ho lodged. It was alleged that he stated to Mrs. Spragg:— “I do not want to bo found out, as I had to clear out of Brighton. I robbed an old man of £l5 10s and a watch and chain, and we 1 ,'t him on the pathway: but he will not live to tell the tale, so I cleared out of Brighton. Weaver and Taylor were in the baek of the car. I hit him on the jaw, and as ho went down the other two robbed him.” Mrs. Teresa Kate Smith, widow of tho dead man, stated that her husband retired from business many years ago. He usually went out in the evening, either with her or alone. On the evening of April 14, he went out by himself about 7.30, but did not say where he was going. He was wearing a blue suit, a brown mixture overcoat and a trilby hat. Ho was in the habit of carrying * square note-case, in which ho usually had several notes. Ho also carried a gold watch, with a gold and platinum chain. Mrs. Smith added that about 10.15 p.m. her husband came home in a taxicab, and was standing by the door when she opened it. Witness did not recognise him, and was so terrified at the sight of him that she shut the door. Her husband afterwards spoke and sha recognised his voice. Medical evidence was given regarding tlio injuries to Mr. Smith, who was removed to a nursing home on May 11. In the doctor’s opinion death was due to the injuries.