STATION TRAGEDY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19806, 23 May 1934, Page 2

STATION TRAGEDY

ACCUSED ACQUITTED. By Telegraph—Press Association NAPIER, May 22. The Capewell murder charge was continued before Mr Justice Blair this morning. Dr. Raymond, in cross-examination said that all the wounds except one could have been inflicted in a struggle for the possession of the knife. It was conceivable that even the fatal wound was commenced with a knife held by Williams, but in such a case he musu have released his hold before the wound was completed. His Honour: And the further back Williams’ arm was pushed the greater would be the tendency for the hand to open. Witness: Yes. Dr. Fisher said the fatal wound could not have been inflicted if Williams had been holding the knife. Tire fatal wound required considerable force. At the conclusion of the Crown’s case His Honour remarked that it was either a case of manslaughter or nothing. , „ T Mr Harper, for the accused: In the circumstances I will not call evidence.” The Crown Prosecutor: “It would be wrong of me as representing the Crown to ask the jury to convict on a murder charge.” The jury found accused not guilty on a charge of manslaughter. “I may say I think you are quite right,” commented his Honour to the foreman of the jury on its return. Capewell was accordingly discharged.