Charles Johnson, the murderer in question

Kathleen Price, Charles's victim

Doris Price, Kathleen's daughter

Senior Constable Murray, who apprehended Charles

Senior Constable Crawford, who apprehended Charles

Clara Aumont, boarding-house keeper

Stanley Stanton, boarding-house tenant who occupied the room opposite Kathleen's

Henry Gaw, fought alongside Charles in World War 1

John Andrew, long-term friend of Charles; also fought alongside Charles in World War 1

Mr Justice Mann, Judge

Maisie M'Cool, companion of Kathleen

Tessie Connelly, companion of Kathleen

'In night attire and with her bare feet bleeding from the cuts caused by the rough roads, Doris Price, aged nine years, ran into the Carlton police station, Drummond Street, shortly after 2 o'clock yesterday morning and cried, "A man has mother by the hair and is cutting her neck with a table knife." The little girl brought the first news of a horrible tragedy.'

(Argus, 3 December 1923)

When I said he was erratic I mean on one occasion when I was with him in a canteen in Sutton Veney in England he had this stuff. I did not know what it was at the time. He had one drink with me and finished up punching three of us. We got hold of him and held him down on the floor of the canteen. He calmed down in about half an hour's time and I asked him what he done that for. He said he did not remember. I meant what did he punch us for - his own mates. He said 'I don't remember.' ²

I have to report that Charles Sydney Johnson was born in Brunswick 29 years ago. His father who was a full-blooded American Negro, died 20 years ago, and his mother who was a white woman, died 16 years ago. Very little is known of Johnson's early life up till he was 16 years of age, when he was fined 40/- or 14 days imprisonment at Brunswick for playing two-up, but from that date right up to his arrest on this charge of murder he was unfavorably known by the police.