CHARGE OF MURDER.

Waikato Times, Volume 111, Issue 18623, 29 April 1932, Page 8

CHARGE OF MURDER.

MANGAMAHOE SHOOTING. DEATH OF ELDERLY COUPLE. ACCUSED COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) PAIIIATUA, Thursday. The hearing and inquest in connection with the Mangamahoe shooting were concluded in the Magistrate's Court. John Dillon Corrigan (23) was charged that on March 28, at Mangamahoe, lie did murder his parents.Evidence w-as also given Py Bernadine Corrigan, aged 9 years, and Francis Corrigan, aged 13 years, brother and sister of accused; by John Berney and his son, John Berney, neighbours of accused; by his brother-in-law, Patrick Moynahan; and also by James Christopher Cooper, of Masterton. Their evidence related chiefly to accused’s mental condition. Evidence of Mental Trouble. Dr. Henry Dawson, of Pahlatua, slated that he examined accused on December 10, 1930, and formed the opinion that he should be committed to a mental hospital. He gave instructions to this effect to the youth’s parents, but they did not carry them out. He warned them that all dangerous things such as firearms and razors should be kept out of his way. Witness thought that accused might lie dangerous to himself, but did not think that he would be to others. Accused had said at , this interview that lie cooked ills own food because he was afraid that something might be done to it.

Dr. Eustace Simmers, of Eketahuna, and Dr. Archer Hosking, of Masterton, who had conducted a post-mortem examination of the bodies, also gave evidence. It was stated that Corrigan had been shot over the cheek bone and Mrs Corrigan at the lower angle of the right shoulder blade. Both doctors agreed that the wound could not have been self-inflicted. Detective Russel, of Palmerston North, said that it would have been Impossible for the deceased to have been shot from a window.

Expert evidence was given by Sidney Tisdall, gunsmith, of Wellington, and by William Donovan, Government analyst. The latter stated that c'a-t----ridges had been fired from both barrels of the shotgun and the barrels subsequently cleaned with a piece of towelling examined by him and said to have been found in accused’s bedroom. Tisdall expressed the opinion that the gun had been fired within 2fl to 3ft of deceased. “ I Do Not Know Anything.” Detailing his investigations after being summoned by accused on the morning of the tragedy, Constable Ede, of Eketahuna, said that in the corner of accused's bedroom he found a double-barrelled gun. Both barrels were empty, but both barrels smelt strongly of having been recently discharged. The gun had been cleaned. The constable said he asked the accused: “Do you know anything about this?" Accused replied, “I do not know anything.” From what he had been told and had seen witness arrested accused and charged him with murder, giving him the usual warning.

This concluded the evidence. Accused was committed to the Supreme Court at Palmerston North for trial.