McMAHON ON TRIAL

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 300, 15 September 1936, Page 9

McMAHON ON TRIAL

—. —» Long Queue Outside Old Bailey JUDGE’S DIRECTION TO JURY '■ (Received September 15, 12.35 a.m.)

_ London, September 14. A loiig queue.formed outside the Old Bailey two- hours before the court assembled to try George Andrew McMahon, who was concerned in the revolver Incident when the King was passing Hyde Park Corner. Many well-known society women’ were among privileged spectators in the special gallery. Three women were among the jury. McMahon pleaded not guilty to all three charges of unlawfully possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life, of presenting a pistol near the King with intent to endanger peace, and of wilfully producing a pistol near his Majesty’s person with intent to alarm him. The Under Sheriff, picturesquely dressed in velvet jacket, knee breeches and lace frills, and two aidermen in blue robes and carrying posies of flowers, the crimson-robed judge. The Attorney-General, Sir Donald Somervell, outlined the case for tile Crown. Case for Crown. , The Attorney-General said that the prisoner threw a loaded revolver as His Majesty was passing him. It either hit the leg of the King’s horse or fell so near that more than one witness thought the leg was actuallj hit. The point, perhaps, did not. matter. An unloaded chamber of the revolver was opposite the barrel, but with this type of revolver the pulling of the trigger would turn the chambers so it would actually go off. However, perhaps the prisoner did not appreciate this. It might be that, having left the chamber unloaded, he thought one pull of the trigger would not discharge the revolver. The Attorney-General said that McMahon made several statements, one of which was that he could easily have shot the King if he had wanted to. The Attorney-General contended that McMahon’s offence amounted to the presenting of the weapon, while on th< i question bf intent, it was difficult to Imagine any act more calculated ■t< create a disturbance. It was unnecessary to inquire what was in the prisoner’s mind, still less to inquire whether His Majesty was alarmed. Intent to alarm was inherent in the act itself. Mr. St. John Hutchinson, counsel for McMahon, asked the judge if he was prepared to give an immediate decision on the Attorney-General’s submission. The judge said he would not decide till he had heard counsel. It seemed better to discuss the meaning of the Act when the evidence was disclosed. Mr. Hutchinson replied that he would make a submission at the end of the prosecution’s dfee. “Saw Shadow of Hand." Samuel Green, retired journalist, gavg evidence that he saw the prisoner look repeatedly at a postcard of the King in coronation robes. Later he saw the shadow of a hand —a backhand throw —then a pistol at the horse’s hind legs. Later he picked up a newspaper that McMahon had carried. Crossexamined he admitted that all he saw was the shadow. Constable Flood gave evidence that he turned his horse to face the King as the procession passed. He heard a scuffle and saw the accused overpowered by police. He did not. see the throwing of the revolver. Special-constable Dick said he saw the prisoner’s hand in the air and just managed to knock his arm. then seized him. He could not say whether, when he knocked the arm. the object had left it. Asked if he saw anything thrown Dick replied: “Yes, it looked like a black object.” The judge directed the jury to return a verdict af not guilty on the first two counts.