“JUST BAD TEMPER.”

Otago Witness, Issue 3757, 16 March 1926, Page 81

“JUST BAD TEMPER.”

ATTEMPTED MUKDER. JEALOUS MAX’S ACT. AUCKLAND. March 8. Frederick George Mayes was charged in the Police Court with attempting to murder Agnes Walker. He was committed for trial to the Supreme Court. . Mrs Walker, aged about 22 years, said that she was a married woman living apart from her husband. Two months prior to February 22 she had been living with the accused as man and wife. On February 22 she had visited her mother at Papakura and returned to her home in Freeman’s Bay at 9 p.m. Accused said to her: “I want to speak to you. I know all about Walker (her husband) coming here to-day.” Accused refused to believe that she had been on a visit to her mother. High words followed, and she ran into the lane pursued by Mayes, who caught hold of her. She had a baby in her arms, and, being frightened, called for help. Accused released his hold and called to a man who lived in the same house to "bring that gun down here.” Witness said: "Don’t do it. For God's sake use your head.” The man (Trainer) brought the rifle, which Mayes usually kept, in his wardrobe, and gave it to him. Trainer took the baby, and accused pointed the rifle at her,. She ran up the lane, and when she was 14 yards away she heard a' shot, but was not injured. Trainer said in evidence that when he gave the gun to the accused he thought it was empty. He heard Mayes say, “I will shoot you, you .” Witness snatched the baby from Mrs Walker, saying to accused, “Don't be silly, Fred. Take a pull.” Accused pointed the rifle straight. at Mrs Walker, who was two yards awayy and pulled the trigger, but the gun misfired. Witness told her to run. When she was 14 yards away Mayes fired again and missed* After this Mayes turned to witness, who was holding the baby, and said, “Hold him up. I will shoot him,too.”

The constable w’ho arrested the accused said that Mayes at first denied having a rifle, but later said, “I know', constable, that I am a fool. 1 fired a shot in the air over my wife’s head.”

When charged with attempted murder accused said: “lil plead guilty to the lot. I don’t want to say anything. It was just my bad temper.”