VERDICT OF ACQUITTAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3829, 2 August 1927, Page 11

VERDICT OF ACQUITTAL.

ACCUSED HELD TO BE INSANE. ATTEMPTED SHOOTING OF POLICEMEN. AUCKLAND, .Inly 2S. “This is a sad case,” said Mr Justice Herdman this morning, in formally acquitting Athol George Beamish White on tne grounds of insanity of a charge of attempted murder. His Honor instructed that the accused should be held in close custody pending the pleasure of the Minister of Justice. The accused, who was represented by Mr M'Vcagb, pleaded not guilty to the charge. Detective Nalder told the court that, with Constables Power and Muir, he went to the accused's house at Great South road in order to inquire about a swag that had been found at Mount Wellington. The swag contained a shotgun, cartridges, and an envelope addressed to the accused. The accused was in bed, and he jumped up and got hold of a double-barrelled gun from the corner of the room and pointed it at Constable Power. Fortunately, the .constable succeeded in deflecting the muzzle just as the accused discharged the gun, the shot narrowly missing him. The accused afterwards made several very rambling statements. He said: “I intended to shoot you. Do you think 1 am the devil?” At a later stage he said: “Have you seen God? I _.ave. He appeared before me one night and said: “ ‘Hullo Athol.’” The accused also stated that he was not mad. Miss Enid White, a sister of the accused, said that at the age of IS hor brother showed signs of abnormal mentality, and at 22 he was committed to the Avondale Mental Hospital for two years,

being discharged about a year ago. Lately he had become worse, added the witness. Dr C. Tewsley said that the accused was obsessed with the idea that under no circumstances would he allow himself to be taken back to the mental hospital. He also considered that he *ould be perfectly justified in shooting the police. Witness considered him to be insane, and extremely dangerous, and also that he would not know the nature anil quality of the act he had committed. Dr Beatty, a mental specialist, said that in his opinion the accused was mentally defective, and all his life would be liable to outbursts of insanity. There was no dispute regarding the facts, said his Honor, and only for the quickness of the polish officers a more serious offence would probably have been committed. Proof of the accused’s mental condition had been given, "nd would leave no doubt as to his acquittal on the grounds of insanity. Without leaving the court the jury found a verdict of not guilty on the grounds of insanity.