MURDER ATTEMPT

Hokitika Guardian, 12 July 1940, Page 6

MURDER ATTEMPT

ON TWO- WOMEN

(Per Press Association—Copyright). HAMILTON, July 10. Charges of assault causing bodily harm, of Rose Ann Starr and Hazel Mary Starr, her daughter, at Ngaruawahia, on June 30th., were preferred against Edwin Lewis ..Bray, 25, a labourer, in the Ngaruawahia Magistrate’s Court. Medical evidence. was given that Mrs Starr had gashes on her head, probably caused by a blunt instrument, and was suffering from shock, while her .daughter had gashes on both hands. A freezing worker told how he was awakened by serpams coming from the adjoining flat, and on investigating, found tlie mother and lieiY daughter bleeding profusely, and saw the accused running away from the building. 1 Rose Ann Starr, a widow, said she and her daughter were in bed In a flat in Ngaruawahia when accused entered the premises. When she went to open the door, accused hit her on the head with a bottle and knocked her down.

Hazel Mary Starr said that after Bray had knocked her mother down he attacked' her (witness) with a sheath knife, and she was badly gashed on both hands ’gefore she wrested the knife from him.

- In a statement to the police, read to the : Court, the accused stated that he wanted to marry the daughter and was worried at her refusal. He intended to kill her and her mother,-then commit suicide. ’

Lie was committed to the Supreme Court, Hamilton, for trial.