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CRESSWELL'S STATEMENT.

THE ACCUSED PLEADS GUILTY,

.' . WANGANUI, May 28. U-esswell, in the course of his statement, said that while in Maekay's .office? .he discovered a certain- disgusting feature in Macaky's character. >■_ He purposely encouraged him. to display the | qualities of his nature which he expected to find. On making the discovery, he told Mackay that he led him on on purpose to make sure of his dirty intentions, arid he told him, among a lot of other candid I things, that he must resign from the Mayoralty. I 1 .Mackay pleaded for consideration, i lon account of his wife and family. I He said that he ivas suffering from a \ complaint which made it impossiblel for him to control his dosire3, and his doctor could satisfy him (Cresswell) on the point. Tho witness rang up the doctor several times, but ho was not in. Much further conversation followed, but he "(Crcsswell) would not relent, "I should say here," continued i Cresswell, "that I had promised to say nothing about what I had discbvered if he would resign at the end of the week. , I did not want to judge him, but I was determined that he had no business to be Mayor." Cresswell said that he agreed to extend the time in which Mackay must resign to a fortnight. Mackay asked for ' a month', but Cresswell would not agree.' Subsequently he did consent, and Mackay wrote a letter agreeing to resign in a month. They went towards the doof to go out. Before reaching the door, Mackay suddenly turned and then raised and'pointed a revolver at him, saying: "This is |or you." He fired, Oresswell 'reeling "the ball enter his right breast. 'He fell down. Cresswell continued: <rHe stood where ho was arid looked at me; and then .canje overhand thrust- the I re,v,p,lver into jmyoTigfifr hand. ''Ixn- ( mediately !l got 'the revolver1 I roee' to my< feet, and' kept him covered. Ho looked very 4urPrised an<l wild, , and then' ran 'through 1' th^ r 'door | marked "B." I'followed him', and, frhen' l' reached tho dbor I* fqund that i it 'was -either locked or eke he was, holding; on po the handle. v I did not wait to pee, but ran into Mackay's office to*the window facing Ridgway Street and threw a chair 'thrqugh it to brjng assistance1, and when, I had 1 smashed tthe window I called out to some -the,street to come up. Then Mackay, evidently hearing my calls for help and thinking that he ' could not. escape, cam© % back and asleep, me to.shoot'him. •■ He then rushed, me. v I kept the revolver; pointed 'clear, and pulled.the shots | off. Tho next-thing I can remember I was running.downstairs and telliiig someone* that'''Maekay had shot-rfio. I licard Mackay say*t> over the, s,t,nirfe ' that ho had shot me by accident/ ,- | , Several witnesses gave evidence. | which went in the direction (that I Mackay. had mad© out that the shooting wrts an accident. ' Inspector- .Heridry stated that on the 26th inst. he received information that the-accused wished fr> see him at the gaol. The witness wont, and there saw the accused in the presence of Mr Troadwell. his lawyer. The witness then produced the statement that had been taken from' falter Darcy Cresswell at the1 hospital.- rThe witness handed the statement(>so!:Mlr Treadwell, and suggested that the latter, if, he desired, might'permit the accused to read it. At th© accused's request, the latter retired, with Mr Treadwelii:' and some twenty' minutes later returned to. the room and informed the witness that ho had read the statement. . made the endorsement: "I have, i;ead-the above statement, and so far as it relates fo my own act and deed I admit the, statement to be substantially true!" ;.,When asked to.plead, the accused, Who was standing. -with his arms folded, said quietly 'and distinctly: "I plead guilty^';:;1. ,:..,.:., The accused was,'.committed to the Supreme Court'at Wanganui for i sentence.• ;' • '•,■■■. '■■ ■■■■•' ■. ";

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CRESSWELL'S STATEMENT. Marlborough Express, Volume LIV, Issue 124, 28 May 1920

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