TRUCK DRIVER’S TRIAL

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28742, 13 November 1958, Page 10

TRUCK DRIVER’S TRIAL

Alleged Attempted

Murder

(New Zealand Press Association) DUNEDIN, November 12.

When confronted with the story of his wife’s injuries from shotgun wounds. Richard Neville Gordon, aged 32. a truck driver, of Amberley, had commented that it was “a pity I did not do it 10 years ago.” a police witness said in the Supreme Court at Dunedin today, the second day of Gordon’s trial for attempted murder.

Gordon is alleged to have attempted to murder Annie McGrath Gordon at her father’s home at 109 Martin road. Fairfield, on July 28 last. Mrs Gordon was recently granted her decree absolute against Gordon. Mr R. J. Gilbert and Mr D. L. Wood are appearing for Gordon and Mr J. B Deaker represents the Crown.

The witness. Detective Sergeant K. T F. Samson, said he saw Gordon at the scene of the alleged offence.

Sergeant W. A Maguire, ballistics officer, gave evidence of tests taken with a shotgun allegedly found at the scene of the incident. He said the weapon was dangerous because of the light pressure needed to fire one barrel. Dr. D. U. Strang, of Green Island, who was called to the house where Mrs Gordon was living, said that he found her lying on the kitchen floor She had a major wound on her right flank and two lesser wounds, on her right breast, and the other near the major wound. August Joseph Renault, a neighbour, said that a noise “like somebody falling” aroused his curiosity. He went outside and met Mrs Gordon coming up the path towards the back door. She had her hand to her side and he assisted her over the threshold when she fell to the floor. He then rang the police and an ambulance and made Mrs Gordon as comfortable as possible until help arrived. To Mr Gilbert Renault said he used a table cloth to stop the bleeding.

Portuguese Macao, an important Western listening post on the coast of China, covers only six square miles. Situated across the broad estuary of the Pearl river from British Hong Kong. Macao was founded four centuries ago by Portuguese traders. It was Europe’s earliest foothold and Christianity’s first beachhead in China.