STATION TRAGEDY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19805, 22 May 1934, Page 11

STATION TRAGEDY

KNIFE WOUNDS PROVE FATAL | ELDERLY COOK CHARGED WITH MURDER By Telegraph—Press Association NAPIER. May 21. Mr Justice Blair presided at the o_uarterly sessions of the Supreme Court, which opened this morning, with only a light calendar, including the Dannevirke car hold-up and a charge of murder. Henry Capewell was charged with murdering John Williams, at Porangahau, on March 11 last. Walter Thomas Burge gave evidence, detailing the incidents which led up to the scuffle. Witness said that when Williams arrived he was jovial, but later he became quarrelsome, and rushed at accused. They were separated, but Williams followed accused back to the kitchen. Capewell was then sober, but Williams was “well gone.” Witness later saw the two men locked together. They were again separated, and Williams collapsed and died a few minutes later. Witness said Williams was the aggressor throughout. Cross-examined witness said that 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 and Capwell 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 that Capewell was not drunk. After a while Capewell said he would like to go to bed. Witness replied that Williams was in his bed and had been there for half an hour. Capewell said: “Oh, well, let him have half an hour.” To Mr Harker witness said that 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, shepherd on the station, gave evidence on similar lines, saying under cross-examination that when he saw Capewell he was very excited and appeared to be sobbing. He did not seem to know that a tragedy had occurred. To his Honour, witness said that Williams appeared to be about 30 years of age, well set up, and powerful. Capewell, he thought, would be between 55 and 60, and not athletic. Capewell more or less sober was a no better fighter than Williams drunk. “If it were a case of fight,” said his Honour, “what would be the position?” Witness: Capewell would have no chance whatever. Dr. Cuthbert Raymond, Waipukurau, gave evidence concerning Williams' injuries. The fatal wound, he thought, could not have been self-inflicted. It would have required a good deal of force to drive a knife to the depth of the wound. Capewell smelt strongly of drink when he 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 accused. The Court adjourned until to-mor-row.