WEDDING SHOOTING

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 April 1927, Page 5

WEDDING SHOOTING

DRAMA OF JEALQUSY ASSAILANT’S INFATUATION (Per Press Asaociatfoa.) GISBORNE, April 13. An inquest was opened by Mr Levvey, coroner, into the deaths of Mrs Queenie Eleanor Pettit and George Edward Nowell, victim and perpetrator of the recent shooting in Tirini Street. Medical evidence was first taken as to the nature of the injuries. James Oman stated that he and Miss Bennett (now his wife) had talked over their marriage four days before the tragedy, but no decision as to the date was made till the night befire. The deceased was friendly with Nowell, but had not advised him of the projected marriage. His wife had formerly been friendly with Nowell. They decided to let no one know of the wedding with the exception of the parents of both parties. Witness gave details of the shooting as already published, affirming that only one shot was fired through the window, though he heard three shots fired, and some time later heard a fourth shot. Noelina Victoria Oman formerly Miss Bennett, stated she had known Nowell for twelve months. She had spent a holiday on his station. Mrs Nowell, six months ago, had asked witness to go to England with her. but this did not eventuate. The friendship between Nowell and witness had ripened after Mrs Nowell left, six months ago. Nowell becoming infatuated with her, but this was, not reciprocated. Many times she had spoken of the impossibility of the position. She became engaged to Mr Oman last Christmas. She met Nowell three weeks prior to the tragedy, and then intimated that she did not wish to have anything more to do with him. He was very angry. He threatened to drag her out of the church if she married anyone else for months. Nowell had threatened to commit suicide if witness would not be friendly with him. He had an ungovernable temper. He had no grievance against Mrs Pettit. In reply to further questions Mrs Oman said Nowell was a man who made few friends. He suffered from violent headaches. He joined the Navy at an early age, and served during the war. He had been worried over a mortgage on his property falling due next year. At first she was very terrified at Nowell’s anger when she told him she would have nothing more to do with him. On one occasion he threatened to run the car over a bank Witness was always afraid Nowell might do something serious if put out. It was partly fear that made her keep her marriage quiet.

Inspector Eccles: Don’t you think it would have been wise to have held the wedding away from Gisborne? Witness: I don’t think it would have made any difference. The Coroner: Was there anything in your conduct to lead Nowell to think you were encouraging him, and to make him break as he did when vou got married Witness: No, I don’t think so. 1 gave him the best of my friendship. Dr G. P. McSweeney, a neighbour, said he went to the bungalow to see Mrs Pettit re her children, and he was talking to her when a shot was fired, Mrs Pettit falling towards him. He attempted to staunch the blood, but in less than two minutes she was dead. He considered it feasible the excited man had mistaken Mrs Pettit for Mrs Oman. During his acquaintanceship he found Nowell a curious type, difficult to talk to, and seemingly abnormal mentally, though he never examined him. Percy Arthur Pettit stated Nowell was morbid, broody and impulsive. When the shots were fired witness rushed to the front door, encountered Nowell with the rifle in his hands, and blood dripping from his forehead, and witness closed with him. During the tussle for the gun, witness said: “Good God, man, what are you doing?” Nowell replying: “I killed Win!” “I’ve done myself in!” After he wrested the gun from Nowell the latter ran out of the gates. Cross-examined, witness admitted knowledge that Nowell was worried financially. He said deceased seemed to be actihg like a madman when witness grappled him. Nancy Owen, who was returninghome opposite the scene of the tragedy,, deposed to hearing shots at the side of the bungalow, and she saw Nowell run round to the front of the house with a gun, and Pettit grapple him. Henry John Langlands deposed that Nowell was a peculiar type, subject to fits of depression. Nowell last referred to his infatuation for Mrs Oman a fortnight before the wedding, asking witness his opinion about it. Witness informed him it was impossible Nowell taking it well. Nowell made no threats against Mrs Oman, but on the morning of the wedding he had an idea the marriage would take place that day, and Nowell told witness he saw a party leave the house. However, Nowell treated the matter lightly. , The hearing was adjourned till tomorrow.

CORONER’S VERDICT. GISBORNE, April 14. The inquest of the Hirini Street tragedy was resumed this morning. Henry John Langlands, continuing his evidence, stated that two firearms had been in Nowell’s room for three weeks. Nowell appeared wild and upset, on the night he went out to the station to get them. Questioned by the Coroner regarding the nature of Nowell’s brooding, witness said the fact that the girl was out of his reach was ever in his mind. Knowing tht Nowell was of rather a peculiar temperament, witness took him for a drive on the day of the wedding, thinking he might make a fool of bimselj. Witness did not want Nowell to know that Miss Bennett was being married. Delivering his verdict the coroner said: I am satisfied that' while the man Nowell meant to kill, he made a big mistake, and slew an innocent unoffending woman. He was laboring .under stress and mental agony, but it remains that he meant to slay the woman with whom he had been infatuated, and by whom he was repulsed. Sympathy must go out to Mr Pettit and his children. I find that Queenie Eleanor Pettit died from gunshot wounds from a gun fired by Nowell, and that George Edward Nowell

died from gunshot wounds self inflicted, while suffering a temporary mental breakdown.” TRAIN. SHOOTINGS. (Australian & N.Z. Cable iwi) ) PARIS, April 13. Mr De Trafford refuses any statement anent the,. De Janze shooting. The Countess herself is not lodging a complaint, hence the proceedings will probably involve only a light penalty if any.