SHOOTING WITH INTENT

Grey River Argus, 6 May 1933, Page 4

SHOOTING WITH INTENT

MRS LONG’S TRIAL (per Press Association). CHRISTCHURCH, May 5. At to-day’s re-hearing of the shooting charge against Mrs. I.ong, on giving evidence under cross-examination, Wav refused to answer a question concerning an 1.0. U. for £4—. He claimed privilege. He denied that he had been under the influence of liquor on March 25. Questioned by Counsel for accused as to his return to the Cashmere Hills house on the Monday following the shooting. Way said: I went back to find out what happened, and detectives caught me and charged me. with being a rogue and a vagabond, and 1 got fourteen days; on top of five shots, and my business was broken up and mv home broken up. Oh, I’m the injured party all right. My credit has gone after all the press reports. Counsel; Perhaps just as well. MRS LONG POUND GUILTY. CHRISTCHURCH May 5. At the Supremle Court the jury found a verdict that Mrs Myrtle Long was guilty. with a strong recommendation of mercy, on account of rxt reniti provocation. Mrs Long’s Conviction WAY STRONGLY CRITICISED. CHRISTCHURCH, May 3. “It has boon said that case is of great importance to the parties concerned. I agree. Put is of much mare importance to the genual lublic of New Zealand, for, Dy your verdict to-day. it will go forth from Cristchurch whether a person can shoot another who refuses to I have his or her house when requested.” said His Honor. Sir Justice i MacGregor, when summing up to the jury in the Supreme Court to-day at the conclusion of the t’ial of Myrtle Long, on the charge of discharging a revolver at Arthur Henry Way on March 25. with intent to do serious bodily harm The case was heard first yesterday, but the jury disagreed. and a new Trial was ordered. This took place to-day. After u retirement of 75 minutes, the jury returned a verdict of guilty, with strong recommendation to mercy, on account of extreme provocation and mental distress. The jury also suggested that Mrs Long should be in some way. protected from further molestation by the witness Way. Outlining the case for the Urowi. the Crown Prosecutor. Air Donnelly, said it was quite simple. The accused had tired five shots at Way. intending to hit bin-, and there *>~uld be no answer to the Crown’s case. important. However, that persons should not have the protection of a jury’s verdict when, they used revolvers in such curcumstanees. His Honor, referring to Wav in summing up. said: ‘-Way is a worthless creature. who sponged on the woman for years, and made her life a misery; but that does not excuse the shooting. It might, in some of the Western States of America: but not here. What conclusion would you have come to had the woman shot the man in the heart, instead of the arm? You might accompany your verdict with a recommendation to mercy, and I will act upon it.” He continued: No doubt you have with mo a feeling of disgust at the conduct of the man Way, but that cannot be allowed to stand in the way of justice. The prisoner was lor sentence until Mondav ixaiT. as