“NOT DECOYED TO PARK”

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLI, Issue 20448, 19 June 1936, Page 9

“NOT DECOYED TO PARK”

EVIDENCE AT POLICE INQUIRY PROOF OF CONFLICTING REPORTS United Press Assoclatlon—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received June 18, 9.40 p.m.) MELBOURNE, June 18. The Royal Commission, which is inquiring into the shooting of Superintendent John Brophy, Chief of the Victorian Criminal Investigation Department, and the authenticity of police statements connected with it, continued its sitting to-day. Mr Justice Macindoe is the Royal Commissioner, and Mr L. Stretton is assisting him. More evidence was given by reporters to-day. Robert Lawson, of “The Melbourne Age,” produced shorthand notes of a statement made by DetectiveInspector McKerral, on the morning following the shooting. He was confident that the statement by McKerral (produced in Court) was not identical with the one issued to the Press after the shooting. Reginald Warren, of “The Sun Pictorial,” said he had interviewed Brophy at the hospital. Brophy declared that it was not true as stated in “The Melbourne Herald,” that he was decoyed to Royal Park, and he was not shot there. Brophy added: “I went to the Royal Parade on an official mission. * was standing alone with a revolver in my left hand, which became sweaty. I made an attempt tc change it to the right hand, and the weapon exploded twice and wounded me in the right forearm and the cheek.” Witness asked Brophy why the pistol went off twice. Brophy replied: “They are finely set.” The inquiry was adjourned.