THE DUNEDIN SENSATION.

Evening Post, Volume LXX, Issue 35, 10 August 1905, Page 5

THE DUNEDIN SENSATION.

SHOOTING OF WILLIAM SARGOOD. ACCUSED BEFORE THE COURT. fBY I^LEGBAMI. — PRESS ASSOCIATION.] DUNEDIN, 9th August" At the Police Court to-day, before C. C. Graham, S.M., Allau Garth MacGregor was charged that on 27th July he did attempt to commit murder by shooting William Ernest Sargood. The accused appeared to be very depressed, and never raised his eyes while in Court. The Crown Prosecutor having outlined the case called Dr. F. Stanlley Batchelor, ,who gave' evidence as to Mr. Sargood's injuries The wound was in a dangerous part of the face, but fortunately a dangerous injury was not done. William Ernest Sargood, in cross-ex-amination, said he knew the accused had been much worried in his home, and witness and his brother had been considerate to him. He was confident the accused appreciated this. The accused told him in the factory he was a broken-heart-ed man, and spoke of committing suicide. He said he would not be alive the following Sunday, as he would finish stocktaking on Saturday. When accused fired the shot they were only two or tnrae feet anart. Witness staggered, and put the length of the room between them. During the conversation in the factory witness spoke sharply on first entering. After that he spoke in a friendly manner, and tried to get the morbid idea of suicide out of accused's head. No doubt accused took his remarks as a, dismissal. Tuat was witness's impression at the tarn*.. He did not appear resentful. David Alexander Ewen, brother-in-law of Mr. Sargood, who was dining with him on the 27th, said he saw Mr. Sargood leave the diningroom, and about twentyfive seconds after he heard a shot, followed by a cry. On going to the draM - ing-room he had a difficulty in opening the door; somebody appeared to be holding it on the other side On pushing it open he saw MacGregor,' who was graspiing a revolver in his hand. Witness grasped one of Ihe man's hands, and his brother, who was immediately behind, seized the other hand. Tlje aceu&ed said : "Yes, I've done it," and in the hall accused said "Let me go before I hurt anyone else," or "I don't want to hurt anybody else." He tried to free his arms, but witness and his brother threw him down, and the gardener then came in. Witness went to see after Mr. Sargooa, and found him on the tennis court, and took Him inside. He asked accused if he had any accomplice, and he replied •'No." John Falconer Ewen gave evidence corroborating his brother's. He asked MacGregor if he had killed Mr. Sargood, and he replied VI hope so." He asked him what was the meaning of it, and he replied that Mr. Sargood had insulted him in the afternoon in a way ho could never forget. Evidence was given as to the purchase of a revolver and box of cartridges, and by the cabman who drove the accused to the house, and the parlourmaid who admitted him. Constable Hastings, who had been called to the house, said he found forty-five cartridges on the accused, who seemed right enough. He was just like a man who uad been in a bit of a temper; he was not drunk, but there was smell of drink on him. He seemed a little excited. / Constable M'Cholm said he took charge of the accused from the gardener. Accused said "I would not have done this unless there was a reason for it." Some time afterwards he said, "I suppose you will have the pleasure of seeing me strung up by the neck for this. 1 11 fight my case anyway." Again after a few minutes he said, "I wonder if he wants to speak to me before he dies; it is a matter of great importance to me, as he will ask my forgiveness." Witness could small drink on him. Inspector O'Brien said in tho watchhouse accused appeared calm. He asked to speak to witness, and said he supposed the Inspector knew his wife, whose people lived near him in Oamaru. Withess said, "I remember." v He then madlT~a short reference to his wife's intemperance, and said that his only child was staying at Woods's Private Hotel. He asked witness to see that the child was restored to her mother. Witness said, "I think after what you have told me about the mother tho child had better remain where she is for the night. He then said, "The ordeal I now have to go through ought to bring her to her senses." - Next morning accused saw him again, and after referring to his wife and child, spoke of the charge. When witness offered to ring up Ilia solicitor, the accused said, "Oh, I will havo to admit it. What Gan a lawyer do?" Counsel for accused said he did not propose to address the Court, but wished to refer to the course adopted in prison. He had come to the conclusion the man was insane, and he asked Dr. Church to .examine him. As a matter of courtesy he wrotV to the gaoler, informing him. He received telephonic message that the interview could not be permitted, as it 'was for the gaol surgeon to nominate his consultant. A few days later Dr. Church was allowed to see the accused. Counsel thought an independent medical man should have seen the accused as soon an possible. He presumed the authorities went by rule; but if it was not a rule they acted improperly. Mr. Fraser. The Prisons Department is not in the hands of the police. Accused was then formally committed for trial, bail being infused.