SHOOTING AT HUSBAND

Evening Star, Issue 21640, 8 February 1934, Page 15

SHOOTING AT HUSBAND

WIFE CDMVISTED [Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, February 7. Tile trial took place of Alary Little, aged forty-nine years, charged with attempting to murder her husband at Rokcno on October 14. The Crown Prosecutor said that the woman was addictc to drink, and was under the effects of drink about noon on October 11. The husband was angered by her condition, and said ho would have, her prohibited. A hoy in the house would say he saw her point a shotgun at her husband. He heard a report, and saw tlm husband with half his hand blown oil. When the police arrived the accused told them the shooting was accidental.

William Liddicoai, aged twelve years, said he lived with his uncle and aunt,' Mr and Mrs Little, at J’okeno. The day prior- to the occurrence.! lie came home from school and saw that his aunt haclf-been drinking. -..For sometime that night he heard his nncle and aunt talking. His uncle said something to the effect that “ it had been going on too long.” On October 14 he returned from an errand and 'saw some cartridges in a glass dish on the mantelpiece. A gnu was standing with its muzzle on the ground. He had never seen it that way before. Little came in, and the accused, who fras lying down in the next room, .said something. Little said; “It is all right. You will he receiving a piece of bine paper in a few days. I’ll- have you at I’ukekolio at half-past 10 on Thursday.” Witness said his ncle went into the next room, and the accused then came into the kitchen. Witness saw her picking up the gun. Ho was going out through the door, and glanced back when he saw she had the gun at her shoulder. The hammers were cocked. A few seconds afterwards he hear ' the report of the gun, and Little ran out of the hack door. Witness returned to the kitchen and saw the accused still standing ■ there. Ho rang for a doctor. The accused, who entered the witness box to give evidence on her own liehalf, said she had worked hard to help her husband. He was really a good man when not in a temper. The shock of the gun going off had made her forget until about six weeks after the incident what had happened, so that she had not been able to give an account of it for some time. The accused said she wa. in hod icsling when her husband came into Urn house, She had heard him “ roaring ” in the kitchen about food. Sbe got up, and be seized her by the hair, knocking her down. He started kicking her, her hair came out and she got away somehow into the kitchen. She did not remember touching the gun, but she might have have done so. She did not know it was loaded. After a retirement of an hour the jury returned with a verdict of guilty of assault so as to cause actual bodily harm. A rider was added recommending tile accused to mercy. Sentence was deferred.