SHOOTING OF A GIRL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 4 May 1931, Page 5

SHOOTING OF A GIRL

CHARGE OF ATTEMPTED MURDER NUNN COMMITTED FOR TRIAL (By Telegraph—Press Association) ' HASTINGS 2nd May. In the Magistrate’s Court this morning the preliminary hearing of the charge of attempting to murder Mavis Steele Smith made against Hubert Frederick Nunn was continued before the Magistrate, Mr Mowlem. Mr E. J. Hailett appeared for the accused, and Inspector Cumings for the police. J. R. Dunnett, borough traffic inspector, said be inspected Nunn’s car on the morning of 7th April. Ho found three knives and two undischarged cartridges. He considered that the car had been used an hour previous to tho inspection, which he made at 3 a.m. Constable Dunn said he examined the vicinity of Smith’s house the same morning. He found fresh marks of tires and a key which Nunn’s housekeeper identified as the key of the back door of Nunn’s house. The tire marks were such as would be made by the tires of Nunn’s car. Detective Farquharson stated that he found a cartridge wad when inspecting the grounds of Smith’s house on 7th April. He went to Nunn’s house and told Nunn the girl had accused him of shooting her. Nunn replied: “Poor Mavis.” He added that he was prepared to answer any questions. He seemed to be suffering from severe mental strain, and was shaking and trembling all over. He said he had a gun and told the detective where to find it. An examination showed that the right barrel had been discharged. Nunn did not reply to a question if he had been out in bis car the previous night. Witness went outside to examine the car. Nunn collapsed. Witness asked whether he- had taken anything. Nunn replied, “No.” He was shaky and staggered in his walk. At the police station the accused said when asked when he last used the gun, “yesterday on the riverbed, shooting rabbits.” He said he used only one shot. Asked where he had been in the car the previous evening, the accused said that he did not shoot Mavis Smith. “I may have been instrumental, the silly young devil,” he said. At this point in the detective’s evidence the accused broke down, sobbing. Continuing, the detective said that he asked Nunn could he say who shot her. Nunn replied: “I could do so, but not yet.” When charged, the accused replied, “All right.” Inside a signet ring on the accused’s finger was inscribed the name “Mavis.” Nunn saw the witness examine the ring and broke down.

Here the accused again showed signs of emotion. At counsel’s request, the Court adjourned for a few minutes. Referring to the examination at Smith’s house, witness said that there were fifty-seven shot pellets in the woodwork. Witness saw Mavis Smith’s wounds photographed. He counted 126 pellet marks in her body. Recalled., Miss Smith said that the ring engraved “Mavis” was not hers. Nunn once gave her a ring with _ his name thereon, but she never , wore it. That concluded the evidence.

Nunn pleaded not guilty and was committed for trial at Napier on 25th May. Saying that the accused owned much property in need of attention, Mr Hallett asked for bail.

Mr Mowlem said this was discretion ary and refused the application.