MILTON SENSATION.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 96, 24 April 1928, Page 8

MILTON SENSATION.

TWO MEN AND A GIRL.

HASSETT BEFORE THE COURT.

ALLEGED ASSAULT WITH INTENT

K.VTFK MISSED MAIN ARTERY,

(I'.y 'J'<'lpgnii>h.—Special to "Star.")

DUN ED IN, Monday

William charged with :iitempting to murder Albert Lloyd at Milton on tho evening of Apiil 1 •"», appeared in the local Polica Court to luiy. Tho charge of attempt to murder wa» withdrawn, and replaced by that oi' assault with intent to do grievous Ijodily harm. Dr. James Eilgar said Lloyd and another man mimed McDonnell came to his house on the evening of April 15. He examined L'oyd, and found there were indications tl.at his clothing had been pierced by an instrument. There was a wound more or less horizontal in the abdomen, one inch in length, and situated almost in the middle line. There was also a transverse wound in the middle linger of the right hand. The ivnulf, of the wound might have been death v/itliin .10 seconds, because if the wound had been straight instead of slanting, the instrument would have cut Iho main artery of the abdomen. Witness dressed the wound und sent Lloyd to the hospital.

(JrosH-examined, witness said the Ihi t.icn fc wns now well on the road to n I'overy. The blow was deflected to the and came out to the muscles of 11)0 stomach. It was possible that the man might have fallen on an instrument and his weight caused it to be driven right into him. The Girl in the Case. Mary Agnes McHardy, the girl in the case, stated that she knew accused and bad kept company with him for some fimo. His reiiitlonulrip stopped two or three years ago. Not at Kr wish, she hud met him since, but had told him many times that she did not want to have anything to do with hiin. ne threatened that if he ever saw her with anybody else he would shoot both her and the persop. she was with. Lloyd had been threatened in this way. On Sunday, April 15,. she left her aunt's residence with the intention of going to Mrs. Curran's, Lloyd accompanying her. She came away from Mrs. Curran's at about 10 o'clock. She came down the path, and when about half-way to the gate recognised the voices of Lloyd and Hassett. Lloyd said: "Who are you waiting on?" Hassett replied: "I am waiting on you." Who heard a scuffle, waited for a minute, nnd went to the gate. She saw Haasett bending over Llcyd, and holding him. Lloyd was lying on his back on the footpath. She asked Lloyd if she would call Constable McQnitty. He anfewered: "Are there any men about? Get someone, quickly, he ha» a knife." She stopped at Curran's residence. Accused showed her a knife, once about two months ago. This, hi told tier; was new speculator," remarking, "isn't it an ugly brute T" It was seven years since, she started keeping company with, accused. Latterly he had token very much to drink. At one time she was Engaged to him. Her main reason for giving him up was his drinking propensity. She was not going tfjt* Lloyd when Jawtt issued threats, hut Wafe bnly a frleri&T Arrstt of Accused. Constable McQuitty stated that after his arrest accused said he remembered "thing about fVand that his arrest ov the present charge was a complete shock to him. He also said he had been drinkJug during the week-end, that on Sunday evening he had gone to a chemist's shop to see about some Alms, and while there got some "dope." He remembered nothjng after eaving the shop. Witness lound a kuife on accused, but there were no bloodstains on it. Thomas Harris Traser, manager of the chemist shop, stated that Ha.sett called fit tho shop with three negatives. At the same time he said he had been drinking fairly heavily during the week-end, and was feeling rather dry. Witness cave him a peppermint drink with water. Ho denied giving the man "dope." e " idMK,e w " uk " n " "■«

Lloyd's Account of Affray. „ r »K' u \ n b J M evidence, said Hassett grabbed him by the collar with his left hand and produced a knife, saying, "I'm *<* yo» Witness caught Hiswett by the leg and threw him, and when Haasett was falling witness felt the knife strike into him. Accused was committed for. trial.