THE ATTEMPT TO MURDER AN OXFORD DON.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XL, Issue 8987, 21 January 1891, Page 3

THE ATTEMPT TO MURDER AN OXFORD DON.

The Oxford Assize Court was crowded on November 15 for the hearing of the charge against Catherine Theresa Riordan, aged 35, who was indicted for attempting to murder Mr James Francis Bright, Master of University College. The following confession, addressed to Mr Haines and written by the prisoner, -was put in :—": — " I am guilty of -writing letters to Dr Bright and Mr Haines, for which I am very sorry, | and have been several times since writing j them, bjt I did it at a time when I was not .responsible for my actions. I bought a revolver in Pall Mall two months ago, giving the name of Miss Wickham. I came to Oxford on Thursday, but cannot remember by what train, went to. the University College, and it was I fired the shot at Dr Bright. I wished to see Mr Haines to tell him how sorry I was for the wrong I had done him. Dr Bright said : ' Sendfor apoliceaian,' and then I fired,only to frighten him, and with no intention of harming him or Mr Haines. I returned to the station, but how I do not know, and on reaching Paddington I took a cab home. I had no motive, and I am very sorry if I have harmed Dr. Bright o/ Mr Haines. I have be»n very ill for two months, arid feel, I can only throw myself on the mercy of the court, Dr Bright, and Mr Haines. I am truly sorry for what I have done, but I do not wish to be defended, leaving myself to their mercy." The conclusion was in the' prisoner's handwriting : — " I am sure you are sorry for the trouble I am in, and I am sure you and Dr. Bright will be. merciful towards me. — Catherine Riordan."

Mr Haines, in reply to counsel, said. ' there was no truth whatever in the prisoner's statement that he had promised her marriage. . He was engaged to Miss J Bright about the middle of May. He had j seen the prisoner once since then. It was before November 6, and she was excited about it. He had written a statement in 1 which he said the prisoner's conduct was eccentric, but not iDsane. He had also said she was subject to intermittent fits of some kinds of madness. She had threatened to commit suicide by blowing her brains out. This was after his engagement. Medical evidence as to. the injury of Dr. Bright having been given, Weller Rose, butler to the Master, deposed to the prisoner's calling, and his hearing the report of a pistol. Afterwards he found the Master, who had been hit, alone. Mr Alfred Winkfield; surgeon, in his evidence said the wound was very serious, and a slight deviation of the bullet would have carried it into a vital part. Up to the present the wound had healed satisfactorily. Dr Bright could not be called without danger. With care, there was hope that he would entirely recover. Mr Reid, in addressing the jury, aeked what, if there •\yas no deadly "intention, was the necessity for ball cartridges. He alao pointed out that there were five chambers loaded. Mr Darling, in del ence, said that the jury hud to determine what was the intention and st.ite of mind of the prisoner, and what it was she intended, if she had any definite intention at all. He had not elaborated on the connection between the prisoner and Mr Haines. They were not there for that. He went on to deal at length with the letters, which contained idle threats tint they could not believe she meant, and which threw great light on tho stato of mind of the person using them. He did not ask for a verdict of acquittal, for hor conduct had been most culpable. He did ask them not to put the harshest construction upon her conduct, but tho most lenient. Miss Riordan was found guilty on the third count, and sentenced to bjx, years' imprisonment.

Wolfe's Schnapps. Only those who never used the geuuhie article are imposed upon

(( i r or continuation of news see 4th page )