ATTEMPTED MURDER CHARGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23991, 14 December 1939, Page 8

ATTEMPTED MURDER CHARGE

NORWEGIAN BEFORE COURT COMMITTED FOR TRIAL (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, Dec. 13. Alleged to have fired a revolver at Stanley Meredith Hunt on November 25, Charles Theodore Nelson, aged 51, a Norwegian seaman, appeared before Mr J. L. Stout, S.M., on a charge of attempted murder. He pleaded not guilty, and was committed for trial. Bail was refused. On a further charge of being in possession of an unregistered firearm, he was remanded. Hunt said he lived in the Salvation Army Hostel in Vivian street. His sister had a house in Jessie street, where he frequently paid visits in the evenings and at week-ends. His sister let rooms, and hq met some of the tenants, among them on several occasions the accused. On November 25 he was there in the afternoon listening to racing results on the radio. Nelson came in and started talking, and witness told him he wanted to listen to the races. The accused said, “ You don’t want to talk to me,” and witness replied: “ I don’t want to be bothered with you.” Nelson rose, saying: “You big .” He repeated the words, left the room, and went upstairs. He returned in a couple of minutes and reseated himself on a couch. Once more he asked: “ How are you? ” Witness said: “ Don’t ask questions.” Nelson said: “ You think you are a bit of a wrestler.” Witness said: “ Yes; I have done a bit of wrestling.” To which Nelson replied: “You think you have got it one me. I’ve - well got it on you.” Witness turned the radio on loudly, and accused said, “Turn that thing off,” and rose from the sofa. He put his back to the wall and used offensive terms. Pulling out a revolver, he said: “Now, this is a blank cartridge. I am going to shoot you.” He removed the hammer, and then said: “ This is a live cartridge. You dirty big ,I am going, to blow your brains out.” He rushed up within a yard and fired. Witness ducked his head, and the bullet whizzed past him and went right through the wall. Nelson walked to the wall, and was fumbling about when witness told him to put the gun away. A few seconds later he walked past Nelson and went out of the room. To Detective Sergeant Murray, witness said the accused was drunk, but seemed to know what he was doing. Mr Hardie Boys, cross-examining, said: “ I put it to you that you accused Nelson of being a boss’s man, and said you were a Communist? ” Witness; No. Have you Communist sympathies?— Yes. I was interested in the development of the Soviet Union. Has Nelson joined issue with you on that topic?—No. Witness denied threatening Nelson. He had known the accused about eight months. He was harmless when sober, and had lent his sister and husband money when they were in need of it. The police evidence was that the accused was taken to the Mount Cook Police Station and searched. In one pocket were 36 cartridges and an empty shell. When the revolver was taken Nelson said: “I was just on my way to dump that.” He admitted having a shot at Hunt, and said that if his eyesight had not been so bad he would have got him. It had been stated that the accused was under treatment for his eyes.