ECHO OF NARRABRI TRAGEDY.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18441, 6 December 1929, Page 9

ECHO OF NARRABRI TRAGEDY.

Murder Charge Preferred. ACCUSED’S SENSATIONAL STORY. (United Press Association—By Electrlo Telegraph—Copyright.) (Received December 5, 10.0 p.m.) SYDNEY, December 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 on November 15, the police read the signed statement of Paul Meniel, aged 50, a German labourer, who is under arrest on a charge of murder. Meniel sensationally related how, during a drunken quarrel with Smith in an old hut, Smith attempted to strike him with a brick or stone, which Meniel wrested from him. He struck Smith with it, and Smith fell and appeared to go to sleep. A short time afterwards, Meniel saw him reach for a rifle, and a scuffle ensued. Meniel seized the rifle which exploded, and Smith fell. Meniel later noticed that he was dead. He secured an axe and chopped the body to pieces, and placed them in bags, the head separately, and dumped them in the creek. Meniel further stated that he then worked about the district for some days. He had a great deal of drink, sold Smith’s motor truck, and then took Smith’s name and left the district. Meniel was committed for trial oh a charge of murder.