ALLEGED ATTEMPTED MURDER.

NZ Truth, Issue 181, 5 December 1908, Page 5

ALLEGED ATTEMPTED MURDER.

TROUBLE AT THE TERRACE

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How Armstrong was Attacked.

Joseph Norman, a prisoner undergoing a sentence of two years' imprisonment at the Terrace Gaol, was brought before Mr W. G. Riddell, S.M., at the» Wellington Magistrate's Court on Wednesday on a charge of attempting to murder Alexander Armstrong, the gaoler, on November, 20. Chief _'Tec. McGrath conducted the prosecution. ■ The prisoner, who is a Corslcan, was attired m the gaol uniform and was attended by two warders as he stood m the dock. . , i Alexander Armstrong stated that about 3.15 p.m. on November 20 he was m the carpenter's shop, which was under the charge of Warder Weybpurne and where prisoner was employed. He had a conversation with Weybourne relative to some work and had HIS BACK TURNED TO THE PRISONER. when he felt a blow on the side of- the neck. At the time he thought the blow was struck with a heavy piece of 'wood. As soon as he received the blow he heard . accused make aloud exclamation and rush out of -the door, followed by Warder Weybourne. Warder Beasley was m sentry duty and he (witness) told him to send for assistance, which was forthcom- [, ing, and prisoner was brought back with--lin a few minutes. When witness reached, the workshop dbor he felt a little pain and found bipod was flowing. He kept his

G/AOLEK ARMSTRONG.

finger on the wound until Dr. , U-ilmer arrived and attended to him. Witness' coat, vest, shirt, collar and tie (produced) were all cut through. The chisel ' (produced) was picked up on the floor of . the ; workshop after the affair. Witness could give no reason as to why prisoner had assault ed, him. . . .; Prisoner : Did you ever know, me before 1 came to. gaol ?— No. Then you don't know whether I'm a good or a baa man outside?— No. How long have i been m gaol ?— You were sentenced to two years m August, 1907. That would be nearly 15 mouths, but you might have been m gaoi before awaiting trial. Have> I been good or bad inside the 'gaol ? — You .are a very quarrelsome . man. You hav.e been; reported several times for qUarrelliiig with fellOw ; prisoners. Do you know the cause, of .my striking you ( with a chisel?—^No. * Did you take any notice when I made complaints.?— l have always advised you TO LIVE' PEACEABLY WITH YOUK FELLOW PRISONERS,, to j get your sentence done and retire from the prison. . \ Charles Weybomrne, warder, stated that he was m charge ,of the carpenter's shop on November 20 .last, and received certain instructions from Mr. Armstrong regarding the work. Mr Armstrong turned found and fieceived a blow from the prisoner, but witness could not say whether prisoner had anything m his hand or not at the time. Prisorcr ran through the door and witness , followed him to the g&te, whence prisoner made a half 'turnj and witness called upon him to stop. Another prisoner who had followed then

JOSEPH NORMAN.

closed with him. ' Prisoner resisted anil said he should be brought before the authorities; Witness' charged prisoner bjefora a visiting Justice A'itlr having committed an assault on the gaoler. Prisoner told the visiting .Justice that the gaoler had put the prisoners up to annoy him. Witness found' the chisel with blood on it on the floor where Mr Armstrong had stood By accused : Cannot say how Dong you have been m the shop ; you have been, there on and oft. Yotu have never had a row with me, but you have with some of the prisoners. What is the reason why you and the prisoners always tease me ?— 1 have never teased you. Did you not tell me the gaoler had said you must tease . me ? — 1 never speak to prisoners about the gaol at all. Do you lrnow what lam m gaol for ?r— I do not. Didn't you GIVE ME A SMALL BOTTLE OF WHISKY, on the day of the assault ?— JNo, no. Tel) the truth —No ; what did you do with the bottle, then ? His Worship (to witness) • You must' not ask the prisoner questions Was I not drunk that day? How did 1 look ''—You looked- pretty mad afterWards. By Chief : Tec. MeGrath : There was no sign or smell of drink ,oh accused that day. Dr. Hamilton Gilmer said that 'he, examined Armstrong and found an incised wound about half an inch long at the side of the neck. The wound was about hair an inch deep/ and was a serious one.- It could have' been caused by the chisel produced. The cuts on, the"ppat, collar and neck-band of the shirt corresponded with """ ~~"*m and the wound i* the neck.