ATTEMPTED DOUBLE MURDER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9178, 6 October 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

ATTEMPTED DOUBLE MURDER.

A SURRENDER TO THE POLICE. Ox the morning of August 13 a dock labourer named Richard Patterson presented himself at the Arbour Square Police Station, Commercial Road, and remarking that lie was tired of being hunted for, gave himself up for a crime committed at IS, Grove-street, Commercial Road, on June 20, when Annie Patterson, the accused's wife ; and John Barry, his brother-in-law, were stabbed, serious injuries being inflicted. Since that time Inspector Reid, DetectiveSergeant Gaunter, Detective Viner, and other officers, have traced the prisoner from place to place, but no sooner had sufficient information been obtained as to the man's whereabouts than he eluded the vigilance of the most experienced officers, and escaped from the localities in which it was known he was Hiding. It is said that on Tuesday night information was supplied that Patterson was actually seen in a publichouse at Whitechapel. Officers were at once on the track, and had he nob given himself up, he would undoubtedly have been arrested on Wednesday. He was, in fact, taken into custody when he entered the station, before he could clearly explain the object of his visit. From inquiries made it seems that Patterson had lived very unhappily with his wife, and the authorities state —whether the statement is justified by facts we do not know—that before his marriage he attempted to murder her by shooting at her with a revolver. Strange, to say her evidence was the only testimony against him. He, however, succeeded in escaping, and, before proceedings could be taken, married the young girl. Since that period the life of the couple has been of a very miserable character. On the evening of the 26th of June, during a heavy thunderstorm, a quarrel ensued between the pair, and Patterson, producing a knife, stabbed her. Patterson apparently received provocation before he attacked his wife. John Barry, her brother, intervened to prevent further violence, when the prisoner attacked him also with the weapon, inflicting serious wounds. The woman's life was at one time in danger, while Barry, who was taken to the London hospital, only recovered after having received the most unremitting attention. The prisoner was brought up at the Thames Police Court in the afternoon. The two injured persons were examined. Mrs. Annie Patterson said she now lived at 50, Spencer-street, St. George's. On the 20th June witness came home very drunk, picked up a plate and threw it at the accused. He picked up a lamp and threw it at her. The next day she went out the first thing in the morning, and came home in the evening. She found the door shut, and burst in the panels. The accused and her little boy Richard came up the stairs, and witness spat in her husband's face several times. He then hit her with his hands, and she threw several cups at him. The accused went downstairs, and soun afterwards returned with John Barry, her brother. The accused went to a cupboard and took out a carving-knife. She did not see any more or feel anything. She was cut four timesonce on the finger, twice on the face, and also once on the arm, but she expected she got that when she tried to protect herself. Her husband inflicted the wounds. She then went downstairs. She was in the hospital a fortnight, in consequence of the wound on her arm. The accused was drunk, and witness was as bad. j Prisoner, when asked if he had any ques- ! tions to ask, said lie was very drunk, and | did not know what he was doing. Mr, I Lushi. i'ton remanded the accused.