WAITARA SHOOTING SENSATION

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 143, 16 December 1908, Page 10

WAITARA SHOOTING SENSATION

» ACCUSED BEFORE THE COURT. MRS. KLENNER'S CONDITION. [in? TELEGRAPH — PKE3S ASSOCIATION.] NEW PLYMOUTH, 15th. Dec. This morning Dr. Goode, the ailegod perpetrator of the Waitara shooting assault, was more calm and self-pos-sessed. Prior to being formally told of tho charge, he> expressed ignorance of the causes leading to his being locked up. When charged in the cell he made no reply beyond expressing a wish to ■ see his solicitor. Later in the morning he was brought before Mr. H. S. Fitzherbert, S.M., and formally charged with having attempted to murder Mrs. Klenn:r. Accused was attended in the dock by two constables. After thecharge had been read, the Court cdjournod to the hospital, where Mrs. Klenner's depositions were again taken. They were practically the same as given by her at Waitara. Accused was then remanded until 23rd. December. In reply to questions by Mr. Wilkes, Mrs. Klenner made the following addiitional statement: — "The accused was drunk. I could not say how long he was in the room. He was very excited, and his language was %'cry unusual. He was very angry before I refused his request. He had been drinking for days. I could not say if he could walk straight. Hft tried to 6hoot himself, but the revolver would not go off. He was always my medical adviser since he has been in Waitara. I was quite friendly with him and think he must have been out of his mmdi or he would not tinvc done what he dad. He was mad with whisky, judged by his appearance." Mrs. Klenner came from Sydney about- twelve- years ago to marry Mr. Klennei in Wellington, and has since resided in. Waitara, where she was well liked. She has five children. She is still in b. very dangerous condition. She '' rallied a- little from tho shock, but the outlook is decidedly unfavourable. The bullets have probably lodged near tho spinal vertebrae, affecting the spinal nerves. The- left arm is paralysed, but the brain is uninjured, and her mental condition is so far unimpaired. The chief dangers may arise from inflammation and interference with respiration on account of the windpipe being pierced, and there is also gTeat- trouble in feeding the patient, owing to injury to tho gullet. The latest report to-night is that she is weaker.