POLICE COURT.

Thames Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 8616, 22 March 1897, Page 2

POLICE COURT.

Before E, F. Tizard and J. Finlay, Esqs., J's.P.

Attempted Suicide. Frank Ashman was charged with having attempted to commit suicide on the 14th March.

Sergeant Gillies briefly described the circumstances, after which he called Alfred James, who deposed that he was a mine manager at Waitekauri. lie had known the accused since he

Avas a boy. He remembered accom{tanying the accused and a young felow named Crocker from Paeroa to

Thames on the 14th March. The ac-

cused and witness had dinner together

at his (witness's) father's house. After dinner they went for a walk to Tararu. On the return to town accused

called at his mother's house, and re-

niained there for about two hours.

Witness waited until he came away,

When accused left his mother's he

seemed down-hearted, and told witness

he had had a " brushing up" by his mother and sisters. He seemed to be

crying, and said he would make them ashamed of him yet. Accused and witness then Went to Church, but

the accused left just after the sermon commenced. Witness afterwards saw

accused lying upon the sofa at his (witness's) father s house, and in a state of prostration. Witness said, "Where's the bottle?" and he replied, "I've got no bottle." "Witness had heard accused had taken landanum and that was why he asked for the bottle. Witness searched accused and found the bottle in his pocket, and handed it orer to the police. Seeing the dangerous condition of the accused, witness communicated with the police and gave the bottle to Constable Flavell. Dr. Callan came soon after and ordered the removal of the accused to the hospital. The accused was in a deep sleep and they were unable to keep him awake. Witness Assisted to carry accused to the hospital. To accused: When at Paeroa you did not appear to have had any intention of doing yourself any harm. There was nothing in your demeanour then to cause me to think you would attempt to commit suicide. William Edward Townsend said he met accused in Mary street on the Sunday night, and the latter asked him to come for a walk. He refußod at first, but eventually he went with accused towards Shortland. When they ai rived at the hairdresser's near Denby's accused asked him to wait a moment, while he got some stuff. Accused then went into Mr Denby's shop. Witness thought accused intended to go to the hairdresser's. Accused called witness into Denby's. When witness went in he heard Mr Denby telling accused that " it was bad stuff to take," but accused said he had always got it down South by just signing his name, and that he had always taken it for headaches. Witness then signed the beok. Accused purchased 2s worth of laudanum. There were full directions upon the bottle. Accused afterwards went up Mary street. George Denby. remembered the accused coming to bia shop on Sunday week und asking for 2s worth of laudanum. He did not then supply him, but.f«aid, "I'do not kuowyou, and cannot sell poison to you without a witness." He replied, " I'm in the habit of taking it, and always get it by simply signing my name. My name is Frank Ashman, you know me quite well." Witness replied, " You young men grow out of knowledge." Accused then went out and brought Mr Townsend in. Witness said, " How much are you in the habit of taking," to accused before he supplied the poison. He replied from 15 to 20 drops. Witness told him it was a very bad thing to take. He replied, " Yes but it eases pain." Witness then supplied him with a bottle containing 480 drops. When accused left witness's shop he said, " I shall be in Paeroa to-night." Maud James said that on the 14th March, accused came to her father's house, with her brother, and had dinner. Her brother and accused afterwards went for a walk. The j latter returned alone about 8 o'clock I at night, and asked her for a drink of water, which she gave him. Accused then stopped iuside while witness went on to the 7era'«dah. A few minutes after accused called her in, and, showing an empty bottle, said, "I've drunk it all." He then lay down on the sofa. He said he had taken all the laudanum, and wished her godd-bye, saying he would soon see her mother now. Her mother had been dead some time. Accused told her to say good-bye to her brothers for him. Accused took the bottle and put it in his pocket. Her brother came in shortly afterwards and asked the accused where the bottle was, but accused denied having any bottle. Her brother found it in accused's pocket. Accused was very sleepy after he had taken the laudanum. Witness asked accused if he was not sorry for what he had done. Accused said " No, my life is ruined, and I am broken-hearted. I wauted to die.'' Dr. Williams stated that the accused was brought; to - the "hospital on March 14th, at about 10 o'clock at night by two constables. He was quite limp, and had to be supported by two constables, while sitting on a chair. His face was very pale and covered with perspiration. His eyelids were closed and hi* mouth firmly set. On lifting the eyelids he observed that the pupils were very much contracted. It was impossible to rouse him, and from the symptoms it was clear he had been taking a narcotic poisou. He proceeded to couutorr act the effect of the poison; firstly, by washing out his stomach, with some difficulty. It took an hour to clean the stomach. After that was done accused's condition improved slightly, and after further. treatment he was able to sit up by himself. He was not uut of danger for two and a half hours after he was brought in. He was utter wards kept awake by the two constables who brought him in, and towards morniiig he was completely out A danger. He remained in witness's charge until the Tuesday morniug, whm he was allowed to go If prompt oieasuvea had not been taken death tvould probably have ensued. The symptoms were not those of au overlose, but of a uoieouous dose. No

person who was sober of iji his right senses would take such a dose,. con-

sidering the directions that were; given on the bottle. Laudanum wa» not often taken to relieve headachoi.

To accused: Laudanum is frequently taken to deaden pain. To Sergeant Gillies: I could not smell any drink on accused when he was admitted to tho hospital- i:f The contents from the accused's stomach I Bmelt very strongly of laudanum. Gorge Denby, re-called, said accused was perfectly sober when he asked for tho laudanum.

Constable Flavell detailed the circumstances in connection with the removal of the accused to tho Hospital from Mr. James's house on Block 27. When at Mr James's, witness told accused he would not wake again if he allowed him to sleep, to which he replied, " That is just what I want." When at the Hospital witness heard Constable McPhee say to accused, ♦'You'll won be all right now." Accused replied, "That means that I shall not see the Lord and all the little angels to-night. I have had a lot of trouble, and I wish I was dead;" This was the case for the prosecution. ■

The Bench said that they had no Other course, after the evidence that had been given, than to commit the accused for trial. Accused could call evidence or reserve his defence. Mr James, recalled at the request of the accused, said he had had six or seven small drinks with him on the day mentioned. Accused: Do you think if you put it down at 19 you would be nearer the mark?

Witness: No. There were but 7. Accused had port wine and brandy twice, and shandygeff the other times, but was quite sober when he left witness on Sunday night. Mr Townsend, recalled, gave corroborative evidence as to accused's sobriety on the Sunday night. There was no sign of drink on him. Accused was then committed for trial.

The accused applied for bail. The Bench granted bail, accused in £50, and two sureties of £25 each.