A SERIO-COMIC LOVER.

Evening Star, Issue 11673, 4 February 1902, Page 8

A SERIO-COMIC LOVER.

Frank Dunemann was charged at (ho Fit/roy (Melbourne) Court on January 16 with having shot Constance Ekers, an .actress, with intent to murder her. In her evidence, the prosecutrix, who is a goodlooking young lady, tastefully attired, stated that slie was a serio-comic actress. In August last she went to Broken Hill to till an engagement, bhe stayed at the Adelaide Club Hotel, winch was kept by the mother of accused. While there Dimemaim paid her considerable attentions. She remained about three months. Just before she left for Adelaide accused said : “If I don’t get you no one else will.” She did not treat the remark very seriously. When leaving he said he would see hex again soon. Site went to Adelaide, and stayed there a week. The day before she left Adelaide accused came to the hotel where she was living, and she went with him round the city. She was with him during the whole of one day. That was the only occasion she was with him in Adelaide. Next day she left for Melbourne, accused coming to see her off. In December Dunemann came to Melbourne, and called twice at her mother’s house. On the second occasion accused asked her to marry him. She declined, saying: “ I don’t care enough for you, and "you are not my style.” On the evening of December 27 witness was returning to her home at Fitzroy on a tram, and when she arrived at the comer of Nicholson and Moor streets saw accused standing near the pillar box. She intended to get off at that corner, but when she saw accused she continued in the tram, and got out at the comer of Bell street. While going along the latter street to her home accused overtook her and said: ■ “ Oh, Connie, I want to speak to you.” She replied: “Don’t speak to me. I don’t want anything to do with you.” Dunemann muttered something, and pulled a revolver out of his pocket. She said: “What do you want to shoot me for?*’ and attempted so take hold of the revolver. Accused said ; “Be careful; I have another revolver, and it is loaded.” Dunemann then threw her off the path into the gutter. She got up, ami said: “You dirty, low dog, to treat a girl so.” Accused laughed, and said; “Oil, I did not mean to do it.” She told him to go awav. A girl named Lily King was then about four yards away. Witness said: “Come on, Lily,” and went towards her. Accused followed, and fired at her with the small revolver produced when she was about two yards from him. Witness then ran iiome. She did not remember anyone speaking to her while she was struggling with accused to get possession of <he revolver. After she reached home she heard two more revolver shots. When she got inside she complained to her mother, and soon afterwards a constable called. Witness told him what had occurred. Mr Keogh, P.M. : You did not tell us you were shot. Did accused’s shot bit you? Witness; Yes; it struck me in the forehead. Witness added that she was nineteen years old last November. While staying at the hotel kept by Mrs Dunemann she practically kepi company with accused. She wrote two letters to him from Adelaide. He had some photographs belonging to her. Counsel: But on this letter there are five crosses. What do they mean?—(Laughter.) Mr Keogh thought that need not be gone into. Witness said it was because of his conduct to his mother at Broken Hill that she took a dislike to the accused. A letter was produced from prosecutrix to Dunemann written while she was in Adelaide, of which the following are some extracts :—“November 4.—My dear Prank, I received your letters, and can tell you 1 was very pleased. 1 also got tlie photos. I met two ‘pros.’ that knew Melbourne. but they are both married, and for my own sake I would not walk with them. But I am not left altogether on my own. I met a gentleman from the war, Lieutenant .. I was out with on Sunday at the Zoo. and went to Glenelg in the train and to Henley backwards and forwards four times in the evening. It was simply lovely. Well, dear, I was very much' cut up about leaving you, more than I thought I would be; but never mmd, it can’t be helped. I don’t suppose we shall see each other for a very long while. You cannot leave your mother, and I-don’t suppose I will ever sefe the Hill again. I still live in hopes. Well, darling, I must bring this letter to a close Fondest love ftom Yours ever, Conner (Joey Cwseß).—P.S. - "Remember me to all the girls, bend them my love, and a kiss for little Doll, x x x x x x x i for yourself.” Dunemann reserved his defence, and was committed for trial. Bail was refused.