WOMAN CHARGED WITH FIRING RIFLE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LV, Issue 4492, 16 May 1935, Page 3

WOMAN CHARGED WITH FIRING RIFLE.

DISPUTES OVER RENT

Christchurch, May 15

In the Supreme Court to-day before Mr Justice Johnston, Tessie Zuppicich, a married woman, was charged with firing a rifle at Thomas Joseph Sleeman with intent to do grievous bodily harm on March 11 and with assaulting Sleeman. She pleaded not guilty. The Crown prosecutor said that Sleeman and his son owned a house in which accused lived. There had been disputes over the rent and a certain amount of friction developed. Later certain furniture was seized under a distress warrant. On March 11 Sleeman called at the house, and it was alleged that the woman fired three shots, one of which hit Sleeman on the finger, but did not seriously injure him. Previously the woman had said. “I will shoot you.”

In a statement to the police accused had denied firing any shots. Counsel for tlie defence did not. call evidence. He suggested that if accused had meant to kill or injure Sleeman she could have aimed correctly. Ho asked the jury to bear in mind the nervous state of accused at the time and the circumsthnees in which she was living. His Honour reminded the jury that it was equally an offence under New Zealand law to point a rifle at a person as to fire it and wound him. The jury found prisoner guilty of assault only with a recommenda tion to mei'cy. She was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence if called upon within 12 months.