Coroner’s Rider At Inquest On The Tokorangi Victims

Wanganui Chronicle, 30 April 1949, Page 3

Coroner’s Rider At Inquest On The Tokorangi Victims

The final chapter in the triple murder tragedy at Tokorangi on December 28 ended yesterday when the inquest on the three victims was concluded in Marton before the district coroner, Mr H. J. Higham, J.P. In returning his verdict the cororier added a rider supporting the recommendation of the Palmerston North Supreme Court jury that the Government be urged to reinstate capital punishment for certain types of murder. The verdict was that Olive Frances Follett, Lillian Winiata and Patrick Lionel Goth Winiata were murdered by John Reremoana Tume- death in each case being due to lacerations of the head and compound fracture of the skull. No doubt at the time of the abolition of capital punishment many people in New Zealaho appreciated the humanitarian legislation, said Mr Higham. However, over the past few years murder had apparently dropped into the ranks of minor offences- and the opinions of many who supported the abolition of capital punishment at the time the legislation was passed had changed their views, particularly in such a case as this, said the coroner. Evidence at the inquest was given by Sergeant W. J. Brown and by Dr. M. L. Benson, who described the victims injuries.