FATALLY SHOT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20039, 4 March 1927, Page 10

FATALLY SHOT.

YOUNG MAN’S DEATH. That death was due to wounds caused by the accidental discharge of a rifle which the deceased was using was the verdict of the coroner (Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M.) at the inquest on Colin Lorn Campbell, aged 22 years, who was found shot in the face at his home in Oxford street on Wednesday morning, and died in the hospital three hours and a-half after admission. Sergeant C. H. Lennon conducted the case for the police. Herbert Campbell, a labourer, residing at 157 Melbourne street, gaye evidence of identification of his son. Deceased was a clerk, and resided at 235 Oxford street, South Dunedin, with his mother. Witness last saw his son alive about a fortnight ago and there appeared to be nothing unusual about him. Dr L. S. Rogers, a house surgeon at the Hospital, gave evidence as to the extent of the injuries. The gun, he said, must have been discharged at close quarters. He was not prepared to say the wound had been self-inflicted. Evidence was also given by Dr W. G. C. Paterson, a house surgeon. Stewart M'Combe, carpenter, said he was an uncle of deceased. He saw Campbell on Wednesday at about 7.15 a.m. He said cats under the house had been annoying him for two nights, “I’ll shoot some of them if I catch them,” the deceased said and went out into the yard. He returned and said: “There's one there now. I’ll go out and shoot him.”. His mother warned him against the risk. Witness did not notice deceased take the rifle outside. Witness heard a shot, and the mother rushed in and said. “Colin has shot himself.” Deceased was lying in the yard with the rifle alongside him. He was carried inside, and Dr Murray and the police were called. Hie nephew was normally quiet that morning. He did not remember his ever being despondent or threatening to take his life. Ernest Edward Jury, milkman, said he saw deceased at 6.30 p.m. on Tuesday, when he called at witness’s home. He asked witness to sign something for him. He asked him what it was, and deceased replied he was making a will. He declined, and suggested that a proper will should be formed. Deceased and witness both signed in the presence of witness’s wife and sister. Ho gave no reason for making the will, and he appeared to be normal. Evidence was also given by Constable W. R. Brown and Sergeant Lennon. Detective Lean stated that he had been making some investigations for the Taieri and Peninsula Dairy Company, by whom deceased was employed. He had interviewed deceased on Tuesday morning, who, after consultation with his solicitors, declined to say anything. He had then returned to his work. The mother, Mary Ann Campbell, said she did not know that deceased had a rifle in the house. It belonged to Mr Bateman, of Caversham. Deceased’s nerves were not strong. Her son had said that he was going out to shoot cats, and she stood on the doorstep and watched him. He was crawling along in the long grass when she heard a shot. As deceased did not move she rushed over to him. He was then conscious, and said_: “Mother, I tripped and the gun went off.” The Coroner then gave his verdict.