TO STAND TRIAL

Evening Post, Issue 28, 1 August 1936, Page 9

TO STAND TRIAL

THE ACCUSED MCMAHON

REVOLVER INCIDENT

NO WISH TO HURT THE KING

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. (Received August 1, noon.) LONDON, July 31. Driving rain doubtless contributed to a lack of interest in the continuation of the hearing of charges. against George Andrew McMahon in connection with the revolver incident. which occurred as King Edward was passing Hyde Park Corner on July 16. Although elaborate police arrangements had been made to control the crowds, only six people awaited the opening of the court, though it rapidly filled up later, Mr. Kerstein, counsel for the accused, recalled Inspector Kidd, who said he believed McMahon had possessed a firearm for some time. Mr. Kerstein then announced that he was calling no witnesses except the prisoner, who limped into the box wearing the same brown suit as on his former appearance. He seemed undecided whether to stand or sit. He clutched the rail tightly and then sat down. PETITION TO THE KING. In evidence the accused said that he communicated certain information to Scotland Yard, in 1933 and as a result he was dismissed from the secretaryship of the Sports Club. He was arrested on a charge of criminal libel and sentenced to a year's imprisonment. The conviction was quashed on appeal after he had served three and. a half months' imprisonment. The publicity in connection with the trial prevented him obtaining employment when he was released. He asked the Home Office for compensation for unjust imprisonment, but this was refused. He then petitioned the King in August, 1934._ The petition read:— As a loyal subject I crave your kind condescension to appeal for justice. I am a young married man, disabled, and have done much valuable social work. I am the only social worker who has ever received a presentation from down-and-outs for whom I laboured. In the course of my labours for my less fortunate fellows I received information regarding the conduct of two detectivesergeants of the West London Division. I communicated this to Scotland Yard, and begged the chief constable to investigate the matter. Later I was-taken to a police station and invited to withdraw the allegations. I was induced to sign a paper and was told the matter^ had ended after a hand-shake. Eight days later my employer told me the police advised him to dismiss me. I called on the chief constable to demand an explanation, after which I was arrested. The Court of Appeal stated that my trial was an improper one. I am ruined financially and physically. WHY HE CARRIED REVOLVER. Speaking in a low tone with a slight Scottish accent, McMahon denied that he had ever communicated with the late or the present King or with any other authority threatening their life. He published a paper, the "Human Gazette," which was non-sectarian and non-political, and in which there was nothing disloyal or unpatriotic.' He obtained a revolver and cartridges at the end of 1935 because he was doing certain work imparting information to the authorities which necessitated his carrying a revolver for his own safety. He always kept it loaded in four chambers in his left-hand trousers, pocket, leaving one chamber empty because he was told there was no possibility of it being accidentally discharged. He had never fired this or any other revolver. McMahon declared that he had not told a barmaid that something dreadful had happened,, nor had he said, "You will see it all in the papers." He thought that •if the King knew about the incidents there would be an investigation. Asked what he expected Sir John Simon, the Home Secretary, to do. McMahon replied that he thought he would order an immediate investigation. That was why he made his letter appear rather harsh. THOUGHT OF SUICIDE. Describing his feelings during ■ the procession, he said 'he saw people happy and contented, and remembered that he had'hardly the price of a meal, and thought, "What is the good of living? I am going to shoot myself." He then saw a picture of how distracted his wife would be and cast the thought aside. Here McMahon broke down and sobbed bitterly. "The idea struck me," he continued, "that if only I could draw the King's attention to my wrongs at least he would not allow his subjects to be so treated. I intended to bring my paper to the notice of his Majesty, knowing that I would be arrested and the King would do something to demand an explanation. Then I remembered about the gun. As his Majesty emerged from beneath the arch. I put my hand in my pocket, drew it out, waited for a few moments, and when the King approached I threw it." Mr. Kerstein asked how he threw it. McMahon: I stooped and it slithered along the footway. NO INTENTION TO HIT ANYONE. Mr. Kerstein: Did you intend to hit anything or anybody? McMahon: No. Mr. Kerstein: Did you throw it in the direction of his Majesty's horse? McMahon: No; it was very far ahead of his Majesty. He added that he held the jevolver by the barrel. He denied that he raised it, and definitely did not point it at anyone. He had not thought the incident might alarm the King, as he was too far in front. He did not intend to alarm his Majesty and cause any breach of the peace. McMahon said it was not true that the revolver was knocked out of his hand. He could easily have got away if he had wished, as the people did not realise what had happened. Asked whether he told the police that he wished he had done it properly, he replied that he had said something similar, but not that. After he realised the misconception which might be placed on his foolish act he realised the gravity of it, and said he wished he had shot himself. He never at any time desired to hurt his Majesty. UNDERLINED WORDS. McMahon said that when he underlined the words "within fourteen hours" in his letter to -Sir John Simon he was not thinking of something which would happen at the review of the Guards. He had intended to call at Sir John's private house, but thought he would be arrested for. interfering with his privacy. McMahon declared that the police statement that he rushed forward on the road before the revolver left his hand was ridiculous; he was lame and could not rush. Replying to a suggestion by the Attorney General that the underlined words in his letter to Sir John Simon meant that he intended to demonstrate

at the Guards ceremony, McMahon insisted that he had merely resolved to force an interview with Sir John. He felt that Sir John would then consider his case, as he had been given to understand that Sir John Simon had never seen his appeal. Cross-examining McMahon, the Attorney General asked: "In order to make a gesture on an occasion of this kind, isn't it quite unnecessary to use a loaded revolver?" McMahon: It came on me suddenly. It is so easy in the light of after events to imagine what' one should have done. My mind was disturbed at the time. The Attorney General: If you had not intended to endanger life you could have used other things. McMahon: I wish I had had some advice on that. If his Majesty knew' he would certainly have looked intothe matter. 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 entered his head. McMahon: No, sir. . COUNSEL'S ADDRESS. Mr. Kerstein, addressing the Court, said that witnesses agreed that no one saw McMahon - either point the revolver or make an attempt on anyone's life. McMahon had every opportunity of so doing; the fact that he did not was overwhelming evidence that he had no such intention. Mr. Kerstein said he would not submit that McMahon should not be committed for trial with respect to the treason charges, as there was some evidence on which a jury ought to decide whether he had intended to alarm the King or to cause a breach of the peace. He asked, however, that Mc : Mahon should not be committed on the firearms charge. The Attorney General asked for a committal for trial on all the charges, and this the Magistrate granted.