HASTINGS SHOOTING

Grey River Argus, 1 May 1931, Page 5

HASTINGS SHOOTING

OF A WOMAN Attempted Murder Charge FREDERICK NUNN’S TRIAL. (Per Press Association.) HASTINGS. April 30. Evidence that accused, though married, wished to get a divorce, and marry her and that she declined similar repeated offers, was given by Mavis Steele Smith, for the alleged attempting to murder of whom, Hubert Frederick Nunn appeared at Hastings Court to-day. before Mr A. M. Mowlorn, S.M. Inspector Cummings appeared for the police, and Mr E. J. Hallett for accused.

Smith appeared in court, with heavily bandaged head, and showed signs of much emotion. The court was crowded. f

Smith, who gave her evidence, seated. said she was single, and ha d known accused for twy years. Nunn used to ca l at her house. Sometimes they met accidentally and at other times designedly. She was not sure whether Nunn said his wife had gone, or he had lost her. He told her he’d one daughter at college. He asked witness to marry him, but she gave no definite reply. He said tha,t he’d get a divorce. They decided later to remain as friends, but ultimately she told accused that they shouldn 'ifi see each other. She did not see accused for a long time. At the next meeting, he referred to witness keeping company with another man, and said. “Nobody else will get you.” He repeated the remark several times, and added that he’d do away with him-.-’elf. Witness remembered one occasion when Nunn asked her to marry him. She got in his car, and noticed he had a gun. Witness refused the offer of marriage made on that occasion. He said he would do away with himself that night, but later quietened. She seldom saw accused after that.

After a wedding on Easter Monday, she returned home, and later left for a party. She saw Nunn’s car in the neighbouring road. Later it passed the car she was in. About one, next morning, witness returned home with a car load of friends. The car drove, away and witness heard Nunn’s voice as she approached'the house. It was moonlight. She noticed that Nunn had a g un concealed behind him. Accused asked witness to marry him. She said, “No.” Nunn said, “I’ll shoot

you, then. 1 ’ She was" unable to remember her rep y. Nunn asked her to come into the car for a talk. She replied. ”It was no go“d talking over it.” Witness moved away and dodged behind a tree. Accused chased her r.ound it, with a gun in his hand, and ’ raised it. Witness called,

“Father!” and ran towards the house. She heard a loud click and a report and did not remember what happened till she found herself lying on the lawn.

To Mr Hallett: Witness said that she knew accused was exceeding y fond of her. He was always kind and considerate. She never suspected he would wilfully harm her.

Reginald Eves gave evidence that he and others called for Miss Smith to go to a party on the night of the alleged offence/ He saw Nunn’s ca r o n a neighbouring road. Alfred Thomas Smith, father of the girl, stated that he was not at first aware of the acquaintance between his daughter and Nu.in, but later Nunn asked witness’s leave to pay attention to hi? daughter. He said that he intended getting a divorce, but witness and his wife objected. Nun n appeared to be terribly upset. Witness knew that Nunn later brought his daughter home several times. Witness had warned Nunn several times and forbidden him to speak t 0 her. Once Nunn said, “1 can't live without her.” On the night of the alleged offence, he heard hi; daughter screaming, “Dad, dad!” He ran out. followed by his son-in-law. and heard a shot fired from the front of the house. He found her lying bleeding u n the grass, but nobody in the, grounds. The Court is still sitting.

FURTHER EVIDENCE HASTINGS, April 30. In the Nun n case, a gun expert deposed that the shot which injured Miss Smith was fired directly at her; from a rajige of thirteen yards. Other witnesses gave evidence as to seeing the accused, walking up and down in the vicinity of Smith’s house on Easter Monday evening, while his car was close handy, and another saw the car Cn Pakowhai Road unattended at a quarter palst twelve', and -again at half past twelve. Dfi. Wlilsom described the- wounds on tile neck and back of Miss Smitfi, who ig progressing satisfactorily, but complaining of double vision. The accused’s housekeeper said she went to Otana with Nunn on Easter Monday, a®d while there, he fired one short;, but he got nothing. A neighbour deposed to hearing Nunn’s car come in at half past one o’clock in the morning after Easter Monday. The case was adjourned to Saturday. Bail was refused.