ATTEMPTED MURDER CHARGE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 3, 19 August 1911, Page 5

ATTEMPTED MURDER CHARGE.

A PALMERSTON CASE. (Per Press Association ) Palmerston N., August IS. j ;hn Owen, alias Doreo, alias Howe, alias Lacy, ’remanded from Auckland, charged with attempted murder, was committed for trial to-day. A. P. Easton, a farmer, deposed that he employed Owen on April 15, 1906 at £1 a week. He wont away on business, and on his return was informed that the new man had not done, much work. Accused was told lie would have to do more work. Ho then cursed, swore, and showed fight .and demanded his money. Wit mis got 1 ip cheque book, but accused refused •x cheque. He obtained a gun and cartridges and demanded Ins money, the proceeds of the pig sale, Pun his employer. Witness said no money had been received yet, but at the point of the gun he was made to turn out bis boxes, and accused then threatened to shoot him and burn down the house. Ho fired at witness, but the gun misfired. He then tried to strike him with an axe, but. Easton warded off the blow. Easton succeeded in escaping, and returned later to the wharo with the police, when they found the gnu and cartridges. Mrs Sarah Wyeth and John Wyeth, of Foxton, deposed that they saw a man very like accused, who said ho had shot Easton. Accused was arrested by Detective Issel, of Auckland.

Accused states, in defence, that Easton attempted to assault him. Palmerston North, August 19.

John Owen, who was recently identified in Auckland hy the finger-print system, was yesterday committed for trial on a charge of attempted murder of Percy Easton on April 91st, 1906.