"REVOLVER WENT OFF.”

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XI, Issue 53, 16 February 1921, Page 3

"REVOLVER WENT OFF.”

THE MALAQUIN CASE. ACCUSED ’S~VERSION OF INCIDENT. Christchurch, Feb. 15. The Malaquin case was continued this afternoon. Dr. Ackland described the course of to soui.ra,yo jo uoi).iodo.id o}U[Uo«>j •[Uaouioj juonbob’qns sqi pm: P»n n U ,H O. Air. Gresson explained by the aid of a pisiol and t wo law books representing twin pillows how the. revolver could be placed under the loft pillow by Malaquin in such a way as to produce a wound similar to those inflicted on Airs. Malaquin. > Dr. Ackland admitted counsel’s explanation was a feasible one. Accused, in the course of evidence, sai<l he heard a sound as of a match being struck and got up to investigate. He found nothing and went back to bed. As he was placing the revolver under the pillow it exploded. His wife gave a shiver and a. groan. She lay still and witness thought he had killed her. He jumped out of bed and lit the candle. His wife turned on her leff side and raised herself in bed. Witness helped her out. of bed on his side. He remembered saying something about her being shot, and told her ho would go for a doctor. His wife would not lot him leave her. Tn the morning he thought it looked bad -for him that ho hail not got a doctor. When his wife made the suggestion of sleep walking he grasped and stuck to it. When ho was told by the authorities that the wound could not have possibly been self-inflict-ed he was sick of the whole business, and camo out v\ith the true story. Counsel addressed the court and his Honour deferred summing up till tomorrow. VERDH I OF NOT GUILTY. Christchurch, Feb. 16., In the Malaquin case the judge’* summing up was generally in lavour of accused. The jury, after an hours retirement, returned a verdict oi “not gu ’ 1 ty. ' .