NARRABRI GREEK MURDER

Taranaki Daily News, 6 December 1929, Page 11

NARRABRI GREEK MURDER

DISMEMBERED BODY FOUND

STORY TOLD OF QUARREL IN HUT.

STATEMENT READ AT INQUEST.

By Telegraph —Press Assn.—Copyright.

Rec. 10.5 p.m. Sydney, Dec. 5. At the inquest at Narrabri to-day into the death of James Smith, or Sorenson, whose dismembered body was found in the Narrabri Creek, the police read a signed statement of Paul Minel, a<red 50, a German labourer, who is under arrest on a charge of murder. Minel sensationally 'related how during a drunken quarrel with Smith in an° old hut Smith attempted to strike him with a briek or stone which Minel wrested from him and, striking Smith with it, Smith fell and appeared to <ro to sleep. • ° A short time afterwards Minel saw him reach for a rifle. A scuffle ensued. Minel seized the rifle, which, exploded and Smith fell. Minel later noticed he was dead. He secured an axe and chopped the body to pieces which he placed in bags, the head separately, and dumped them in the ereek. Minel then worked about the district for some days. He. had a great deal of drink. He -sold -Smith’s motor-truck and then took Smith’s name and left the district. Minel was committed for trial on a charge of murder.