IS BARRY "BARMY"?

NZ Truth, Issue 511, 3 April 1915, Page 4

IS BARRY "BARMY"?

A Queer Cove m Queen-street Raises a Revolver, which Goes off An Elderly Lady's Narrow Shave.

Of a rather jaded appearance and manner suggesting that he was not quite "all there," John Barry, aged 40, appeared before Mr. F. V. Frazer, S.M., on Friday at the Auckland S.M.s Court, charged with the attempted murder of one Jessie Drysdale on March 18. Barry was undefended; Senior-Ser-geant Rutledge prosecuted. An elderly woman, Jessie Drysdale, a widow living In Turner-street, said she was walking up Queen-street on Maroh 18., Suddenly a man, came out of a doorway of Mr, Newcomb's shop AND FIRED A REVOLVER m front of her. She could not say whether Barry was the man as it was getting dusk. Senior-Sergeant' Rutledge: Did you man point the revolver straight at you? — It seemed to be pointing over my shoulder, not directly at me. _ Did it go off,— Oh, yes. * Did you see the flash? — No, I. don't think I did. What attracted you first? — I heard the report. But you saw him before that? — I saw him come out of a' doorway. What makes you thLnk he tried to shoot you? — Well, he fired' the revolver at me. Mr. Frazer; You don't seem to be sure whether he fired directly at you. or, not. Did he say anything then? — No, he walked away towards, the Anchor Hotel. Barry: Did you ever see me before, missus? — No. Do you mean to tell me that anybody who did not know you would come vp — Mr. Frazer: Never mind about that. You only ask questions. Did you see me? — I NEVER SAW YOUR FACE/ ! Bernard Goodman, carrying on busi-i ness at : 58 Queen-street, said at 6.15 p.m. on the 18th Tie saw Barry; standing at the doorway. Witness asked if ho could do anything for him. Barry was ■ loading a revolv.er, and on being spoken to walked away. The revolver (produced) was ( very much like tho one Barry had m his hand. Witness did not think accused was a man to be trusted with a firearm, and turned to go inside to get his hat, but as/he turned he heard the report. Going to the door again, he saw Mrs. Drysdale, and heard her say to Barry, "You're mad, see what you're firing at." Witness was certain Barry was the man who had the revolver. Barry: Where were you when the shot was fired?— Just Inside the door. Where was the woman? — When I came out she was Just past the window. What did you get and what did you expect to get out of it? Mr. Frazer: Don't talk rot,. I think you ought to have your head read somehow.. Has he been examined? Senior-Sergeant then handed up a certificate, upon reading whjeh Magistrate j£r?U!er remarked. "Well, THE DOCTOR SAYS HE IS ALRIGHT! but I would 1 not have thought so.'' Senlor-Sorgcant Rutledge: Neither did I .'.'.' Richard Fredadovloh, living at No. 8 Waverley-stroet, boarding- housekeeper, said while passing Goodman's shop at 6.16 p.m. on the 18th he saw the old lady. "Dick" strolled past, but Immediately heard a shot, and on turning around saw accused standing m a doorway with a cure-for-all-Borts-of-palns m his hand. He did not see any smoke issuing from the rovolver. No questions. Constable Fisher said from information he received from the last witness, he arrested Barry near the Anchor Hotel. On Barry was a box of cartridges and a alx-chanmbered revolver. One chamber had been discharged. Barry explained that it-had gone oft whon he was loading tho weapon, and ho had not fired It at any woman. Barry was suffering from the eltccts. of liquor. Senl6r- Sergeant Rutledge: That's the case, your Worship. Mr. Frazer: Well, on that ovldence, I COULD NOT POSSIBLY COMMIT ' HIM for trial. I cm not at all satisfied with the doctpr'B certificate, and I think the best thing is for you to lay a complaint and have him medically examined. Senior-Sergeant Rutledge: Yes, I think so too. Mr. Frazcr: Yes. that will be best. In the menntlmo on the present charge ho is dlchargcd.