WOMAN SHOT.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 18 December 1924, Page 5

WOMAN SHOT.

t • husband chabged. (by TEf.KfiRAPH—*»RERS ASSOCIATION. OAMABU, Dec. 17. At the Magistrate’s Court to-day. before Mr II W. Bundle, S.M., John Holmes, aged 72, was charged with attempting to murder his wife (Annie Isabella Holmes) on November 2, by shootihg. Medical evidence showed that Mrs Holmes was shot behind the lower jaw with a : .12 calibre rifle, and her condition was for several weeks serious. Mrs, Holmes, who is much younger than Hfer husband, gave evidence that her husband and she lived happily enough together, but latterly Holmes had suspected infidelity on her part, quite Without justification. He had been a' bit queer, but he had never threatened violence to himself or her. He complained of being unable to sleep, and told her some time before the shooting that he had not slept for weeks* They slept in different rooms. She had been able to prove absolutely to Holmes that he was wrong in his suspicions. but that did not alter his attitude. He was under delusions which witness could not. shake.

Holmes reserved his defence and was committed for trial at the sitting of the Supreme Court to be held at Oamaru on February 4. The charge of attempted suicide preferred against the accused was withdrawn by the police.