TWO U.S. MARINES SHOT DEAD

Timaru Herald, Volume CLIII, Issue 22474, 8 January 1943, Page 4

TWO U.S. MARINES SHOT DEAD

South African Remanded On Murder Charge Young Woman Gravely Injured (N.Z.P.A.) WELLINGTON. Jan. 7. Shots fired from an American service automatic at 1.30 this morning in a house, 17 Terrace Gardens, resulted in the death of two chief cocks in the United States Marine Corps and the serious wounding of a girl aged 19. In the Magistrate’s Court to-day, John Sidney Crawford, a South African seaman, aged 26. who has been in New Zealand three months, was charged with the murder of Sidney Samuel Sparrow, of Quantico. Virginia, and Elmer William Geti, of San Diego. California, and was remanded by Mr J. L. Stout, S.M.. till January 14. Geti was shot through the heart and died immediately. Three shots were fired at Hazel Josephine Salmon, wounding her in the head, arm and neck. She was removed to the hospital in a serious condition. Sparrow was shot through the head, and lived for two or three hours afterwards. Constable Under Fire When a constable arrived at the house a shot was fired at him, but missed. The pistol was owned by Crawford. Crawford was recently fined £2O for sly-grog selling. Sergeant A. E. Kearton and Constables T. W. Illes and J. P. McHugh were sent to the house from the Taranaki Street Police Station. As constable Hies approached a shot was fired from a window and passed over his head. Crawford was arrested by Sergeant Kearton. Sparrow and Miss Salmon were attended by Dr. E. G. Gibbs, police surgeon, and Lieutenant W. A. Marmot, Medical Corps, United States Naval Reserve. Crawford left South Africa for England and shortly afterwards signed on in an overseas ship from which he was paid off when it arrived in New Zealand. He is believed to have known Miss Salmon. The Marines will be given a military funeral. A Marine Court of Inquiry has been held to determine the cause of death. The Inquest was opened by the Coroner, Mr W. G. Mellish, to-day, when evidence of identification was taken. The inquest will not be resumed till after the murder charge has been decided. A post-mortem examination of the bodies was ordered by the Coroner and conducted by Dr. P. P. Lynch.