BROTHER’S DEATH.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 638, 16 December 1932, Page 7

BROTHER’S DEATH.

Youth Faces Charge of Murder. QUARREL ON A FARM Per Press Association. LEVIN, December 16. The preliminary hearing of the charge of murder of his brother, John Spencer Easton, at Whirokino on November 22, preferred against Allen Roy Easton, began before Mr Stout, SAL, in the Levin Court this morning. C. M. Wheeler, civil engineer, produced plans of a cowshed and the scene of the tragedy generally. Senior-Sergeant Dinnie said that he could find no fingerprints on the gun which was picked up about 100 yards from the cowshed. Richard Allen Easton, father of the dead boy, said that the accused would be seventeen in May. On the day of the tragedy witness and his sons had milked twenty-one cows. When Roy said to Jack that he had better milk another cow before starting to separate. Jack said that witness and Roy could finish in plenty of time, but Roy repeated his remark. Then Jack got in another cow. While Jack was out of the bail, Roy said something to Jack which witness did not hear, but Jack immediately got up and went into Roy’s bail and shook his brother by the shoulder. Witness intervened and Jack went on milking. “ Seemed Upset.” Roy finished his cow, emptied the milk and went away. ITe looked as if he was crying and was thoroughly upset. Witness saw Roy going through •the fence towards the house. Witness and Jack continued milking for six or seven minutes and then came the report of a gun. Jack got up, and walked over to the yard fence with his hands to his chest. He said. “ Dad, you had better get a doctor, I’m hurt.” Witness ran to a neighbour’s to telephone for a doctor and when he got back Jack was dead. When he first went across the yard to Jack, witness saw Rov running away. He looked back and could have seen Jack, but whether he did so or not witness could not say. Later witness picked up a cartridge case about six feet from the cowvard fence. Did Net Com© Home. Continuing his evidence, witness said that there were two guns and two rifles in the house, but there was only one shotgun cartridge left. Roy did not come home that night. Next afternoon, witness saw him near the Whirokino bridge. He told him to come home. After walking along a little way, Rov said: 44 How is Jack?” Witness told him that Jack was dead. The gun found near the bails had recently been repaired. About 50 cartridges had since been fired. Witness fired three of these and one misfired. Dr S. J. Thompson described the condition of * the wounds as observed at the post-mortem. Sidney Tisdall, arms expert, said that from marks on a post in the cowbail it was evident that the shot had been fired from between the top and the second rail in the cowvard fence at a distance of about ten yards.