The Whitehorse Star, Monday, February 3, 1969

Court Told

‘Blood Gushed Like Water'

Murder Suspect Committed For Trial

Zoltan Macko was committed for trial Friday, at the conclusion of a preliminary hearing into a charge of non capital murder. The 30 year old miner from Hungary has been charged in connection with the shooting death of Mehmed Dupobac, also 30, at Arctic Gold and Silver Mine near Carcross on December 10 last year.

During the two day hearing the court heard a large number of crown witnesses, miners, tell that an all night drinking party had been going on in room eight of the bunkhouse, occupied by Jordan Kalajdjiev and Frank Kuster. The two roommates were present, as were Dupobac and others. Later the group was joined by the accused Macko, known to his acquaintances as "Zorro”.

Witness testified that some time before six a.m. there was an argument and a scuffle between Kalajdjiev, known as "Blackie” and Macko, who eventually left and returned to his own room down the hall.

Shortly afterwards he was seen outside Kalajdjiev's room and two shots were heard.

The court learned that in the corridor Zorro allegedly was calling Blackie to come outside, and accused him of kicking him (Zorro) in the face during the fight.

Kalajdjiev, a dark-haired 26 year old Yugoslav, testified that he tried to keep the door shut but that Mehmed Dupobac known as "Mayo” went out in the hall to act as peacemaker.

Witnesses said that a discussion followed, a third shot was fired, and Dupobac fell to the floor with a shotgun blast in his chest.

Walter Parsons of room six next door told how he overheard both the fight in the room and the shooting. He said that during the party he heard Zorro's voice say "help, help, don't do that.” And someone else in room eight say "Don't Jordan, that's enough.” There was mostly talk, and then later three shots.

LIKE A GUSH OF WATER

"After the third shot I heard a sound like a gush of water,” said Parsons, "and blood came under the door of my room and up the sides of the closet.”

Other testimony revealed how the First Aid man, William Evans was summoned but could do nothing for the deceased. Evans said he took a gun away from Zorro.

The preliminary hearing was conducted before Magistrate John Varcoe, with D.S. Collins appearing for the crown and H.H. Regehr for the defence. It was not immediately known when the case would go to trial.