SENTENCING A DEAF MUTE.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 206, 28 August 1920, Page 19

SENTENCING A DEAF MUTE.

" FINGER 'HViri'EXCE" IX CASE OF ATTEMPTED MI'RDEIt. A deaf mute's fear that he would lose his only companion. another deaf mute, I when -the latter became engaged to be married, led to the appearance of George t -Makins, at Nottingham As-sizes, on a charge r of attempted murder. r "Finger evidence** was given. end '■ Makins was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment. The sentence was spoken by v the judge, but Makins still waited expectantly to know his fate. I Then in a dead silence the sentence was '• interpreted, and Makins quietly left the • dock. • A dramatic story of a midnight figbt ber ween Makins und his former companion, c George Pykett, was interpreted in court. 1 Makins and Pykett. it was stated, were v the closest of friends, and had b_lged toother for some years. They go: on well - together until a few weeks ago. when '! Pykett became acquainted with a girl who 1 was also a deaf mute. She aud Pykett - 1 It was suggested in the earlier stages of the c-ase that Mukin* was jealous. Later, however, it was stated that he did not "j.leslre the girl for himself: all be wi-hed " was to retain the com[_tny otf hhs only " friend, whom he would lose on Pykeu's ma rria ge." He never .-eased to remonstrate with Pykett ou bis engagement, and finally became obsessed. While Pykett was asleep one night he attached a long piece of tube to the gas jet. piaced the other end on Pykeu's .. pillow, and waited by the bed with a razor s to end bis own life as soon as Pykett was j dead. el Pykett awoke, however, and in a struggle «-ith Makins he was badly cut.