TRAGEDY IN COURT PRECINCTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20643, 15 February 1929, Page 17

TRAGEDY IN COURT PRECINCTS

INSOLVENT SHOOTS HIMSELF. SENSATION IN COURT. Melbourne exchanges just to hand give further'particulars of the tragedy which occurred in the court buildings on the morning of February 4. The Age of February 5 states that a sensation was caused in the Bankruptcy Court, sittiim in No. 3 High Court, when it was dis°covered that Robert Abbott Johnstone, of Barrington avenue, Kew, whose name was called by the crier that he might enter the witness box to be examined in relation to his financial affairs, had shot himself in a lavatory adjoining the court room. , Johnstone was found by an official of the court lying in a pool of blood. At his feet was a seven-chambered revolver, which contained an empty shell and six Jive cartridges. The spent bullet had passed through his head, and was found lying on the floor. Medic?* aid was summoned, and Johnstone was conveyed by ambulance to Melbourne Hospital. He was admitted in a critical condition and died at 2.15 p.m. In December last Johnstone had failed to attend the court for examination as he had been called on to do, and consequently he was arrested and imprisoned, but subsequently he was admitted to bail. Yesterday was the date fixed for his examination. Shortly before Judge Foster took his seat on the Bench Johnstone entered the court, and conversed with Mr W. E. Watkins, a witness in the case. It was afterwards learned that the purport of his brief talk with Mr Watkins was a request that he would “keep - an eye” on his wife, who was outside the court. Mr Watkins promised compliance, and Johnstone then walked away. A few minutes afterwards Johnstone was formally called to appear before the court and enter the box, but he did not respond. A search was made, but no traces of the witness could be found. Mr T. W. Smith, representing the trustees, .then explained that Johnstone was to be examined concerning a number of land transactions in which he was interested.

Mr W. S. Doria, for the bondsman, that the court wait a fow minutes to give Johnstone an opportunity to appear, as he had been present a httle earlier.

His Honor agreed to this, and was preparing to take evidence from another witness when the official receiver in insolvency (Mr W. F. Merrell) walkedmto court, and, placing his hands on the Bench m front of his Honor, dramatically exclaimed that Johnstone had been found shot.

It was a tense moment, which was broken by Judge Foster remarking. “ A tragedy having occurred I will adjourn the examination to a date to be fixed.” The court then adjourned, Mrs Johnstone, who was informed by Mi W. E, Watkins of what had. happened, Sa j husband had been persecuted and financially worried for the past two years. “ When I got uj this morning,” she added, “ I had dreamed he did not appear before the court, and that his bond was forfeited. I told him of the incident, but he just smiled. When he left home he appeared to be in good spirits.” °

Mr W. E. Watkins said he had had many dealings with Johnstone, and in every instance he had been straight and honourable.

Johnstone, who was managing director of Langwill Bros, and Davies Pty., Ltd. (now in liquidation), joined the firm as secretary in 1902, and had his estate compulsorily sequestrated by order of the court last year. He always demonstrated his faith in the business, in which he originally held one share, until finally he guaranteed its overdraft t« the English, Scottish and Australian Bank to the extent of £II,BBO. The bank gained judgment against him for the amount, and it was to this he attributed his insolvency, His.net liabilities as shown in his statement in bankruptcy showed his liabilities as £14,642 9s, his assets as £11,427 7s fid, leaving a deficiency of £3215. Assets included £5 cash in bank. Deceased leaves a widow and 15-year-old daughter.