Samuel Boyd of Catchpole Square: A Mystery
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CHAPTER LIV.
EXTRACTS FROM "THE LITTLE BUSY BEE" OF FRIDAY, THE 15TH OF MARCH, 1896.
The intense interest taken by the public in the progress of themystery of Catchpole Square was markedly shown this morning by theenormous concourse of people assembled in the vicinity of the BishopStreet Police Court, where Mr. Reginald Boyd was brought before themagistrate, charged with the murder of his father, Mr. Samuel Boyd, onthe night of Friday, the 1st of March. In these times of fever andunrest, when scarcely a day passes without some new sensation croppingup to overshadow the sensation of yesterday and drive it from theminds of newspaper readers, it is rare indeed that any one startlingincident should continue for so long a time to engross publicattention. For this reason, if for no other, this extraordinarymystery will be long remembered; but, quite apart from the morbidcuriosity which all murder cases bring into play, there are in thiscase elements of perplexity and bewilderment which entitle it to thefirst place in the annals of great crimes. It is not our purpose tooffer any opinion as to the probable guilt of this or that person; thematter is now in the hands of justice, and it would be manifestlyimproper to try the case in our editorial room, but this does notprevent our columns being open to the discussion of abstract matterswhich may or may not have a bearing upon it.
To the disappointment of the sight-seers in the adjoining widerthoroughfares the accused man was driven to Bishop Street through sidestreets but little frequented, and so skilfully were the policearrangements carried out that he was conducted into the court by therear entrance before the general public were aware that he had startedfrom the station. The Court was crowded, and among those assembledwere the wife and mother-in-law of the prisoner, who it was understoodhad had an interview with him before the commencement of theproceedings.
Mr. Marlow represented the Public Prosecutor, and Mr. Pallaretappeared for the prisoner.
Mr. Marlow, addressing the magistrate, stated that it was not hisintention to do more than formally open the case, after which, withouttaking any evidence beyond proving the arrest of the prisoner, heshould ask for a remand until that day week. The police had not yetconcluded their preliminary investigations, and the interests ofjustice would be best served by the course he proposed to adopt.Having briefly narrated the circumstances which led to the accusedbeing charged with so horrible a crime, he called Mr. Lambert,detective officer in the police service, who gave evidence of thearrest.
Mr. Marlow: "That is as far as I propose to go, your worship. I nowask for a remand till this day week."
Mr. Pallaret: "I do not oppose the remand, but I have a question ortwo to put to the witness, and a remark to make to the Court." To thewitness: "When you arrested the accused did he offer any resistance?"
The Witness: "On the contrary. Suspecting, or having heard, that I hada warrant for his arrest he came up to me voluntarily, and said he wasat my disposal."
"He walked quietly with you to the station?"
"Quite quietly."
"Did he make any statement?"
"No. I advised him to say nothing."
"What was his reply to that?"
"He said, 'I am not afraid to speak. Until my innocence is proved Iwill proclaim it to all the world.'"
"I have no further questions to ask you." To the magistrate: "Theobservation I desire to make is this. No one can be more anxious thanthe accused that the fullest light should be thrown upon this sadaffair, and that the murderer of his father shall be brought tojustice. He himself has offered a reward of AL500 for the discovery ofthe murderer. But we enter a strong protest to any unnecessary delayin the disclosure of the evidence we have to combat. To arrest a manon a charge so serious without sufficient evidence to support it, andmerely because the police deem it necessary that some person should beput on his trial, would be monstrous. I make no complaint against thepolice, but there have been occasions on which they have erred, andhave inflicted cruel injustice upon innocent persons. There was theGreat Porter Square case, in which a son, accused of the murder of hisfather, was brought up at the magistrate's court no fewer than seventimes. The police had nothing against him, and he was eventuallyproved to be innocent. I trust similar tactics will not be pursued inthe present case. To any unnecessary delay we shall offer the moststrenuous opposition. Will bail be allowed?"
The Magistrate: "No. I have no doubt the police will do their duty.The case stands adjourned till this day week, at eleven in themorning."