INTENT DENIED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 181, 1 August 1936, Page 9

INTENT DENIED.

PRISONER'S STORY.

Plan to Draw Attention to

Alleged Grievance.

NEVER POINTED REVOLVER. Dnited Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, July 31. Mr, Kerstein, counsel for George Andrew McMahon, examined aeeusod closely regarding- details of the revolver incident. Accused declared that he held the weapon by the barrel.

He denied that lie raisM it and said definitely that he did not point it at anyone. He had no then ji'.t of the incident alarming t! - s I\!:v„ as lie was too far in front and did not intend to alarm His Majesty o. cais«e any breach of the peace.

Accused said, it was not true that the revolver was knocked out of his hand. He could easily have got away if he had wanted to, as people did not realise what had happened.

Replying to suggestion by the Attorney-General, Sir Donald Somervell, that the underlined words in the letter to Sir John Simon meant t* at lie intended to demonstrate at the Guards ceremony, McMahon insisted that he merely resolved to force an interview, with Sir" John Simon. He felt the Home Secretary would then consider his case as he had been given to understand that Sir John had never seen his appeal.

.The Attorney-General asked if the words, "I could easily have shot the King but threw it instead," did not; show that the idea of shooting at the King had entered his head? McMahon: Xo, sir. Mr. Kerstein, addressing the Court, said that the witnesses had agreed that no one saw McMahon either point the revolver or make an attempt on anyone's life. Accused had every opportunity of so doing. The fact' that he did not do so was overwhelming evidence that he had no such intention.

The Attorney-General asked for com mittal on all charges, which the magis trate granted.