THE WEDDING TRAGEDY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19612, 14 April 1927, Page 12

THE WEDDING TRAGEDY.

STORY TOLD AT INQUEST. STATEMENT BY THE BRIDE. ILL-STARRED FRIENDSHIP. MAN BECOMES INFATUATED. [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS! ASSOCIATION. ] GISBORNE, Wednesday. Further light was thrown upon the shocking wedding tragedy in Gisborne recently, when one of the guests, Mrs. Queenie Eleanor Pettit, was shot dead by George Edward Nowell, who later committed suicide, when the inquest opened to-day. The bridegroom, James Oman, stated that the bride, Miss Bennett, had discussed the wedding four days before the tragedy, but no decision as to the date of the ceremony was made until the night before. His wife had formerly been friendly with Nowell. It had been decided to let no one know of the wedding with the exception of the parents of both parties. Witness gave details of the shooting, affirming that only one shot was fired through the window of the bungalow where the party was being held. He heard three shots fired, however, and some time later a fourth shot.

Noelina Victoria Oman, formerly Miss Bennett, stated she had. known Nowell for 12 months. She had spent a holiday on his station. Mrs. Nowell six months ago had asked witness to go to England with her, but this did not eventuate. Man Becomes Infatuated. The friendship between Nowell and witness ripened after Mrs. Nowell left six months ago, Nowell becoming infatuated with her, but this was not reciprocated. Many times she had spoken of the impossibility of the position. She became engaged to Oman at Christmas. She had met Nowell three weeks prior to the tragedy and had intimated she did not wish to have anything more to do with him. He was very angry and threatened to drag her out of church if she married anyone else. An Ungovernable Temper. For months he had threatened to commit suicide if she would not be friendly with him. He had an ungovernable temper. Ho had no grievance against Mrs. Pettit.

When questioned, Mrs. Oman said Nowell was a man who made few friends. He suffered from violent headaches. He had been worried over the mortgage on his property falling due next year. At first she was very terrified, at Nowell's anger when she told him she would have nothing more to do with him. On one occasion he threatened to run his car over a bank.

Inspector Eccles: Don't you think it would have been wise to have held the wedding away from Gisborne ?

Witness: I don't think it would have made any difference. The Coroner: Was there anything in your conduct to lead Nowell to think you were encouraging him and to make him act as he did when you got married ? Witness: No, I don't think so. I gave him the best of my friendship. Mistake Theory Feasible.

Dr. G. P. McSweeney, a neigbour, said he went to the bungalow to see Mrs. Pet tit in regard to her children and was talking to her when a shot was fired. Mrs. Pettit fell toward him. He attempted to staunch the blood, but in less than two minutes she was dead. He considered it feasible an excitecl man would mistake Mrs. Pettit for Mrs. Oman. During their acquaintanceship he had found Nowell a curious type, seemingly abnormal mental! v.

Percy Arthur Pettit stated Nowell was morbid, moody and impulsive. When shots were fired witness rushed to the front door, encountering Nowell with a rifle in his hands and blood dripping from his forehead. He closed with him. During the tussle for the gun witness said, "Good God, man, what are you doing?" Nowell replied: "I killed Win. I've done myself in." After further evidence the inquest was adjourned.