ALLEGED ATTEMPTED MURDER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14702, 9 December 1909, Page 8

ALLEGED ATTEMPTED MURDER

SEQUEL TO SHOOTING AFFRAY, (Pf.r United Press Association'.) WELLINGTON, December 8. Evidence for the prosecution was heard in tlio Magistrate's Court- to-day, before Mr \V. G. Kiddell, S.M., relating to the quarrel between a father and. his son-in-law in Ghuznee street, about a week ago, lesulting in the former (Joseph Williams, a fanner from Auckland) being charged with attenpting to murder Francis Joseph Martin. Sub-inspector Norwood conducted tli-j prosecution, and Mr Will'ord appeared for the accused, who is a- middle-aged man. Francis Joseph Martin, an expressman, said that ou the Ist inst. be left his home about 7.15, in company with a friend named Walls. Both were in naval uniform. A little way down the street he met his father-in-law (the accused), Williams asked him.to come up the road a little way, and after proceeding a «hort distance witness asked him what lie wanted.' Accused replied, "Why didn't you lace my daughter at home':" Witness explained that the daughter referred to was his sister-in-law—a girl of about, 14 years of age. ■ Witness remarked, " I wil' see her at the proper place—at the court." Accused then said, " You'll n-;ver see the court." "Why!" asked witness. " I'll, pretty soon show you," replied the accusjd, who then produced a revolver from his pocket and tired at witness. The shot grazed witness's necl>. Wall, who was standing alongside, then seized accused's wrist and advised witness to run. When the revolver vas discharged accused was standing within a yard of witness.

Dr Henry, who examined Martin after the affray, state-d that informant.- only suffered a sl'ght bullet wound in the side of ;ho neck. When Martin was loosening his clothing the bullet fcl' to the ground. Alexander Walls, who was with Martin at tho time of the affray,.also gave evidence. Ho said that when the accused accosted them lie said to Martin, "Here, I want a. word; come up the road a ">it." Martin and Williams then walked awav together, but presently Martiii called to witness, and said to Williams, "Now, repeat what you have just said to me." Accused remarked that he was not afraid to-do so, and then he made somo allegations against Martin of some misconduct towards a little girl (accused's daughter), The witness corroborated Martin's evidence as to the firing ot tho shot. After Martin had rim away, ant while witness was struggling with Williams, the accused said, " Do you want a bullet, too?'' Witness replied, " Don'L be silly," and then ran away. Constable Quayle, who arrested tho accused, said that on the way to the station tho accused remarked, "1 shot him, and the only thing I'm sorry for is that 1 <!id not shoot him dead. The scoundrel, I'M hang for him." On arrival at the station ho burst into tears, saying, " My life is no good to me now he has ruined my daughter, who is only 13 years of age." Accused then intimated something to tho effect that he had been down to the detective office relative to his daughter, but he was informed that there was no case, as no corroborative evidence was available. " I then look the law into my own hands," said the accused, " and I'll hang for it." Constable Cummings endorsed the previous witness's statements. Mr Wilford intimated that lie would merely give an indication of the defence. He felt sure that a- jury would completely exonarate the accused and bring about his acquittal. If ever a man was more sinned against than sinning it was the accused. Accused pleaded " Not guilty," and reserved his defence. In asking for bail, counsel stated that the accused would return to Auckland to-day. Accordingly accused was committed for trial. He wa's admitted to bail in one surety of £100.