SEQUEL TO FATAL BRAWL

Taranaki Daily News, 22 May 1934, Page 9

SEQUEL TO FATAL BRAWL

DEATH OF A STATION COOK HEARING OF MURDER CHARGE. WITNESSES DESCRIBE STRUGGLE. RELATIONS OF THE TWO MEN. By Telegraph—Press Association. Napier, Last Night. The hearing of a charge of murder against Henry Capewell was commenced in the Supreme Court to-day. Capewell was charged with murdering John Williams at Porangahau on March 11. Walter Thomas Burge gave evidence, detailing the incident which led up to a scuffle which occurred between Capewell and ¥711113013. Two witnesses said that when Williams arrived at the station he was jovial, but later became quarrelsome and rushed Capewell. They were separated, but Williams followed Capewell back to the kitchen. Capewell was then sober, but Williams was “well gone.” One witness said that later he saw.the two men locked together. They were again separated. Williams collapsed and died a few minutes later. Witness said that William was the aggressor throughout. Cross-examined, witness said Williams was fairly well under the influence of liquor and would not have been able to defend himself. John William Helm, foreman at the station, said that shortly before the fatal struggle he saw Williams nd Capewell struggling on the grass. It was a very harmless struggle and he did not see any blows struck. He and Budge separated them. After Williams’ death witness said Capewell was not drunk. After a while Capewell said he would like to go to bed. Witness replied tha 1 Williams was in his bed and had been there half an hour. Capewell said, “Oh well, let him have half an hour.” . To Mr. Harker witness said Capewell appeared to believe him when he told him Williams was asleep on his bed. Capewell appeared to be unconscious of the fact that a tragedy had occurred. Howard Mills, a shepherd on the station, gave similar evidence, saying under cross-examination that when he saw Capewell he was very excited and appeared to be sobbing. He did not seem to know a tragedy had occurred. To His Honour he said Williams appeared to be about 30 years of age, wel 1 set-up and powerful. Capewell, he thought, would be between 55 and 60 and not athletic. Capewell more or less sober was no better fighter than Williams dr-ink. “If it were a case of a fight,” said His Honour, “what would be the position?” Mills: Capewell would have no chance whatever.

Dr. Cuthbert Raymond, Waipukurau, gave evidence concerning Williams’ injuries. He thought the fatal wound could not have been self-inflicted. It would have required a good deal of force to drive a knife to that depth. Capewell smelt strongly of drink when witness examined him soon after the struggle, but his speech was normal. He appeared to be suffering from shock. He saw no marks or blood on Capewell. The Court adjourned until to-morrow.