WIFE IN DOCK

Northern Advocate, 7 February 1934, Page 8

WIFE IN DOCK

ATTEMPTED MURDER CHARGE ! EVIDENCE OF HUSBAND \ i I RULING ON ADMISSIBILITY i j ! EYE-WITNESS’ STORY i i i (Special to '‘Northern Advocate.") AUCKLAND, This Day. The -trial is proceeding nt the Supreme Court of Mary Little, aged 149, charged with attempting to murder her husband at Pokeno on October 14. The Crown Prosecutor said the woman was addicted to drink and was under the effects of drink about noon on October 14. The husband, angered by her condition, said he would have her prohibited. A boy in the house would say' he saw her point a shotgun at her husband in the passage, heard a report, and saw the husband with half a hand blown off. When the police arrived the accused told them the shooting was accidental. The first witness called was George Little, the accused’s husband.

Accused’s counsel said there was a grave question whether the husband could give evidence against his wife.

The husband declined to give evidence and it was for the Judge- to decide whether he was, compellable. After hearing the Crown Prosecutor. Mr Justice Herdman told the jury that he decided the husband was a competent witness, but in view of a decision of the Court of Appeal, and a similar decision of the Court of Criminal Appeal in England, his compellability was doubtful, and he would not be called unless he wished. His Honour added that he would .reserve the point for the Court of Appeal.

Boy’s Version,

A boy of .12, William Liddicolt, a nephew of accused and her husband, said he lived at .Little's farm at Pokeno. When he arrived home from school about 4.30 p.m. on October 13, Mrs Little was milking. She spoke to him, and she gave him the impression that she had been drinking. Next morning Little went to work early. Mrs Little had been up some time and got witness his breakfast. About 10.30 that morning, after he had been in to Pokeno, witness noticed that th«?e were some shotgun cartridges and a glass bowl on the mantlepiecc in the sittingroom. They were not there when he was in the room before.

“There was a double-barrelled shotgun in the kitchen belonging to my j uncle. ” continued witness. It was kept between the cupboard and the china cabinet. It was in its place, but standing on its muzzle. My uncle came back from -work, and I helped him stack some timber at the shed. At lunch time I went into the house and set the table, Mrs Little did not appear. My uncle came in, and ITrs Little said something from the sittingroom. Mr Little replied, ‘lt's all right. I'll have you at Pukekohe at 10.30 on Thursday.’ He said she would receive a blue paper in a few days.” “Uncle then went into the sittingroom, and 1. heard Mrs Little, get up,’’ continued witness. “She came out in front of uncle, and came into the kitchen. Just as 1 was going out the door outside, I happened to glance round. I saw Mrs Little pick up the gun. ‘ She brought it to her shoulder, appear. My uncle came in, and'Mrs She brought it to her shoulder. Both hammers were cocked. 1 had just taken a couple of . steps when I heard the report of a gun. Uncle came running out with his hand bleeding badly. Mr Little went outside, grabbed Ms right wrist with his left hand, and told me to telephone for a doctor. I went to the telephone in the house and asked the Pokeno exchange to summon a doctor.” (Proceeding.)