CHARGE OF SHOOTING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15822, 22 July 1913, Page 5

CHARGE OF SHOOTING

EX-CONSTABLE ACQUITTED.

AN IMPORTANT DECISION.

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright,

MELBOURNE, July 20,

A sensational squabble occurred at the police barracks on June 10, arising out of a constable who was alleged to be drunk refusing to leave. His refusal was followed by the firing of two revolver shots. Constable Cahvell was summarily dismissed and then arrested on a charge of shooting with intent to murder another constable, who was uninjured. Another member of the force was suspended on a charge of drunkenness.

Before the Supreme Court the Chief Justice said the case did not come within the section under which the charge was laid, which required that the weapon must be aimed at the other person. The evidence showed that the revolver had not been pointed at another. The jury, by direction, returned a verdict of not guilty.

As a sequel to the disturbance, George Lewis Calwell, formerly police constable, was ■charged with having feloniously shot at Constable Edward Giddens, with intent to murder him.

Sergeant Staplcton said: "It is alleged that Calwell and several constables were in room No. 9 at the RuseH street barracks. A man came into the room, and, being in an intoxicated state, was told by the constable in charge to go out. Ho refused to do so, and the constable in charge caught hold of the intoxicated, man, and Calwell went to the lattcr's assistance. Gidden6 caught hold of Calwell, to assist the constable in charge, and Cahvcll threatened to 6hoot him. Giddens closed with him again, and called upon Constable M'Gann to help him. M'Gann seized hold of Calwell's arm and a shot was fired as lie pulled it down, the bullet hitting an iron post on the floor. Cross-examined, witness said that his statement was based only on what he had heard.

Calwell pleaded not! guilty, and was re. manded on bail.