A SHOOTING AFFRAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3327, 19 December 1917, Page 45

A SHOOTING AFFRAY.

CHARGE OF ATTEMPTED MURDER. HAMILTON, December 14. In the Supreme Court to-day Wm. Albert Hurry was charged with the attempted murder of David Kernohan. Both were miners at Huntly. Kernohan denied provocation, but admitted that Mrs Harry visited him at the hospital three times a week since the shooting. The xaccused said he i had been married six years. He had picked up the gun to shoot a troublesome dog, when Kernohan rushed at him, ; threatening to choke him, and the gun exploded. He could not remember pulling the trigger, or what happened afterwards. He claimed that Kernohan had misbehaved with his wife. The jury returned a verdict against ac- • eused of doing grievous bodily harm, and ! added a strong recommendation to mercy on account of accused's state of mind and extreme provocation. The Judge sentenced the accused to 11 months' imprisonment, but said he would recommend to the Government that the prisoner be discharged at once, on condition that he rejoined the forces. Harry had previously enlisted, and was accepted for service. ' His Honor agreed with the jury that the prisoner had no intention of killing Kernohan. and that the shooting' was unpremeditated.