"GUN WENT OƑF"

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11945, 16 May 1933, Page 5

"GUN WENT OƑF"

GARAGE-KEEPER SHOT IN GROIN. . WANTED PAYMENT FOR AIR. ALLEGED ATTEMPTED MURDER. YOUTH COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. THREE! MONTHS FOR CAR • CONVERSION. (Press Association AUCKLAND, May 15. Christopher Niven, 19, appeared in the Police Court- to-day charged with attempting to murder James Bennington Bates, at Mcrcor, on April 14, and unlawfully converting a car to his own use. Medical evidence was given that Bates, who left hospital on Alay 6, still has a bullet in the groin, hut was not likely to be, injured by the bullet remaining there. The place whero tho wound was inflicted was exceedingly dangerous—quite as dangerous 'to life as a wound in the head. William John Churchill, the accused’s stepfather, said a revolver belonging to him disappeared with the accused on April 14. It was light to the touch, and would go off easily without a man intending it to. Tho wifo of the wounded man, Harriet Bates, said: “After my husband left, I heard something liko tho crack of a. whip twice. I think tho interval between the cracks would bo two or three seconds. I rushed into tho yard and met my husband. He was -swaying across the yard and then went inside.”

A statement made by the accused was produced hy the police. In the statement accused said :

“On April 14 I took the revolver with about 13 rounds of ammunition, as I wanted to clear out and got over to Australia and start a fresh life over there. I went to the Station Hotel. I stole one of •Shorter’s rental cars standing outside . “Then I wont to Mercer, whore I stopped outside a garage. I went to an hotel and inquired for the proprietor of the garage. He came round, and gave mo 24 gallons of benzine. I asked for some air. He opened the garage and I drove the car right in. Ho putsome air in the hack tyro. 1 was going to drive away without paying, and he hopped on the running board, and said ‘that will he 6s.’ “He would not let me drive away, so 1 got out of the car and pointed the gun at him, saying ‘I have not any money.’ I told him to walk down the street, as I wanted'to get rid of him. I had the gun in my hand. He was advancing toward me and I was backing away. I was pretty nervous by then. All of a sudden, the gun went off. It happened to he pointed pretty low. I thought it had gob him in the stomach. He ran. into the garage and was holding his stomach. I was bewildered and nervous, and the gun wens off again. I climbed into the car, and shot off again.”

After the accused had pleaded not guilty to a charge of attempted murder he was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. On tho additional charge of unlawfully converting a car lie was convicted ' and sentenced to . three months’ imprisonment.