SHOTS IN NIGHT

Taranaki Daily News, 6 September 1935, Page 7

SHOTS IN NIGHT

SON ON MURDER CHARGE GERALDINE MAN'S DEATH STORY OF TRAGIC EVENTS POLICE COURT EVIDENCE HEALTH OF THE ACCUSED By Telegraph—Press Association. Timaru, Last Night. Nearly four months ago the litfle settlement of Pleasant Valley, near Geraldine, was shocked at the news that a well-known resident of the district had been shot dead. In the Timaru Magistrate’s Court to-day Darcy Walter Shaw was charged that on May 16 at PJeasant Valley he murdered his father, Walter Shaw. He was committed for trial at the next session of the Supreme Court at Timaru. The case had been adjourned frequently as Shaw was detained in an institution. Shaw, who took absolutely no interest in the proceedings, was tinder police guard and sat on a bench immediately behind the dock. His lips moved soundlessly and most of the time he directed his gaze to the floor. Mr. H. W. Bundle, S.M., Dunedin, was on the bench. “In this case I intend merely to call evidence to show that Shaw was respon--sible for the death of his father and not to enter into evidence as to his mental condition,” said Mr. W. D. Campbell, Crown Prosecutor. James Joseph Mulvey, retired postmaster living at Pleasant Valley, said he lived about half a mile from the JShaw residence. Somewhere about 12.35 a.m. on May 16 he heard what he'considered to be two gunshots fired in rapid succession.

“Soon afterwards I thought I heard a woman scream,” he said. “I went outside and had a look round and shortly afterwards the telephone. rang. As a result of the call I proceeded to the Shaw residence. “My son had preceded me by a minute or twO> The accused was on the floor being held by Mrs. Shaw, Miss Shaw and my son. I assisted to hold him till the; police arrived. Mr. Raymond (who appeared for Shaw): The boy was struggling on the floor? —Yes, but not very violently when I arrived. James Crawford Mulvey, son of the previous witness, said that he assisted to control Shaw till the police arrived. When they were going into Geraldine Shaw said they were taking him away from his home by force and also asked whether his father was dead. SCHOOLBOY HEARS SCUFFLE. Henry James Lapthorn, 15 years old, a schoolboy who lived with the Shaws, said that on the night of May 15, accused went to bed about 9 o’clock. Shaw sen. slept in the same room. During the night Lapthom was disturbed by a loud knock and then a scuffle. He got up and went io the kitchen, where he saw Mr. and Mrs. Shaw, their daughter and the son. They were moving round in the kitchen and Miss Shaw locked the door. Accused climbed out through the window and ran down to the shed. The others opened the door and ran after him. Accused went into the shed and came out with a rifle. He was holding it in a half-raised, firing position. Then Lapthom heard two reports from the rifle and Shaw sen. fell. When the shots were fired accused was about two yards from his father. After firing the shots Shaw jun. dropped the rifle and went up the path towards the house. They all followed him into the house and in a few minutes neighbours arrived and Shaw was held till the police came. Evidence was given by the sister of Shaw, Irene Violet Shaw, who said her father tried to stop accused leaving the house. Her brother seemed terrified about something and jumped through the window. She and her father followed and accused appeared with a gun. He did not seem to aim. She secured the rifle and took it away from her bother. She returned to find her father dead. Evidence was also given by police officers. Shaw pleaded not guilty and reserved his defence.