AUSTRALIAN TRAGEDIES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 18967, 19 March 1924, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN TRAGEDIES

ALLEGED WIFE MURDER A SORDID STORY Received March 18, 9.40 p.m. SYDNEY, March 18. James Mantel has been committed for trial on a charge of feloniously shooting his wife, who has now recovered from her wounds. The evidence disclosed sordid details arising out of the woman’s relations with another man. THE APPIN SHOOTING AFFRAY. A SEMI-DRUNKEN MURDERER. ACCUSED MAN’S ADMISSION. Received March 18, 9.40 p.m. SYDNEY, March 18. At the inquest on Constable Flynn and Clift, victims of the Appin tragedy, evidence was given that Simpson was in a semi-drunken state on the morning of the tragedy. Constable Porter gave evidence that after the arrest of Simpson he asked how Jim Flynn was. He was told he was dead. He said: “Well, I suppose I am a murderer, but lam sorry for him. He was my cobber; but perhaps I did him a good turn. His people will get more out of the Department than he would ever get.” He asked how Clift was. When informed he was pretty bad, he said “Well, the department will look after his wife and children.” A little later he said: “No, I am not sorry for Flynn. He is dead. His troubles are over. I have got to go through it now, and I am as good as dead. It is hard to think a white man like Flynn is dead and a rotten one like me alive. I should have shot myself.” Other evidence was given on similar lines to that cabled previously, and Simpson was committed for trial on a charge of alleged murder.

THE MINNANURRA MURDER Received March IS, 9.40 p.m. SYDNEY, March 17. Tho trial of William Murray, on a charge of murdering Simpson at Minnanurra, commenced to-day. Evidence was given that Murray went to the w'ar a sober man and returned a drunkard and shell shocked. Since then, when in drink he completely lost his balance and was unaware of what he did. He had been an inmate of a reception house after threatening to kill his wife and children. The murder was committed while Murray was drunk. (A shooting affray occurred near Appin. Constable Flynn and an engineer named Clift were conveying a prisoner named Simpson, who had boon arrested for breaking and entering at Campbelltown, when he suddenly drew a revolver. He shot Flynn dead and seriously wounded Clift, who subsequently died).

I Received March 18, 11.5 p.m. SYDNEY, March 18.

Murray was found guilty, with a strong recommendation to mercy on account of his war service. Sentence of death was pronounced.