CHARGE OF MURDER.

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18805, 29 November 1932, Page 8

CHARGE OF MURDER.

DEATH OF OLD MAN.

EDWARD TARRANT IN DOCK.

NO EVIDENCE FOR ACCUSED

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) BLENHEIM,' Monday. The trial of Edward, Tarrant, who is charged with the murder, at Picton, on November 3, 1931, of James Flood was continued to-day. .Mr Evan Parry, counsel for accused,' announced that it was not proposed to "call evidence for the defence. Mr P. S. K. Macassey, Crown Prose'cutor, referred to the brutality of the crime, which /was a deliberate, coldblooded murder. He submitted that accused was'in the vicinity of the old man’s cottage at the time and knew of his wallet. Accused .was desperately in need of money; he used an axe in expert fashion. The motive the Crown ■suggested was robbery. From March to June after the murder, continued the Crown Prosecutor, accused had £2lO in notes in Blenheim.' In regard to accused’s story of finding a wallet under the hedge, Mr Macassey submitted that if it was there on November 3 it was there on November 11, and an exhaustive search by detectives failed to discover it. Mr Parry,, for accused, said that there was no evidence that an axe hail been used in the murder, and, if an axe worn used, there was no evidence ■that the axe belonged to Tarrant. • He submitted that accused’s later story of finding tlyi wallet was substantially true. .There was no direct evidence connecting accused with I lie crime The only real evidence was (he possession of notes and the defence was that Tarrant was innocent of the murder and the story of having found the , notes was true. TBE TRIAL CONCLUDED. (By Telegrrph.—Press Association.) I BLENHEIM, Tuesday. When the Court opened this morning His Honour,- Mr Justice Blair, summed up. The jury retired at 11.30.