COMMITTED FOR TRIAL

Evening Star, Issue 22783, 4 May 1931, Page 16

COMMITTED FOR TRIAL

♦ ATTEMPTED MURDER CHARGE [Per United Press Association:] HASTINGS, May 2. In the Hastings Magistrate's Court the preliminary hearing of the charge of attempting to murder Mavis Steele Smith, made against Hubert Frederick Nunn, was concluded before Mr A. W. Mowlem. S.M., Mr E. J. Hallctt appearing for the accused and Inspector Comings for the police. Detective Farquharsou stated that he found a cartridge wad when Inspecting the grounds of Smith's house on April 7. Ho went to Nunn’s house, and told Nunn that the girl had accused him of shooting her. 'The accused replied: 11 Poor Mavis.” He added that he was prepared to answer any questions. He seemed to be suffering from severe mental strain, and was shaking and trembling all over. He said he had a gup, and told the detective where to find it. An examination revealed that tho right barrel bad been discharged. He did not reply to a question whether ho had been out in his car on the previous night. At the police station the accused said when asked when he last used the gnu; “ Yesterday on tlio river bed shooting rabbits,” Ho said he used only one shot. Asked where lie had been in the car on the previous evening, the accused said he did not shoot Mavis Smith. When witness asked Nunn if ho could say who shot her Nunn replied; “ 1 could do so, but not yet.” When charged the accused replied: “All right.’' Inside a signet ring on the accused's finger was inscribed the name “ Mavis Nunn.” Referring to the examination of Smith’s house, witness said there were fiftyseven shot pellets in tho woodwork. Witness saw a photograph of Miss •Smith’s wounds. He counted 126 pellet marks on her body. , Recalled, Miss Smith said the ring engraved Mavis was not hers. Nunn once gave her a ring with his name on it, hut she never wore it. Nunn pleaded not guilty, and was committed for trial at Napier on May 25. Bail was refused.