CHARGE OF ATTEMPTED MURDER.

Thames Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 8622, 29 March 1897, Page 2

CHARGE OF ATTEMPTED MURDER.

At the Police Court to-day, before J. McGowan, Esq., J.P., George Osborne waa charged that he, on the 27th March, did unlawfully attempt to murder one, Samuel Agnew. ' Sergeant Gillies said that in this case he was not pi'epared to go on, because of the condition of Mr Agnew, who now lay in a very dangerous condition in the Hospital. He asked for a remand until Friday, with the understanding that if he was not then prepared to go on a further remand would be granted. He was asking for the remand not only for the reason stated, but on Mr Clendon's account.

Mr Clendon (who appeared for the accused) asked that the prisoner should be admitted to hail. In his opinion there was not the slighest doubt that what took place was an accident. Furthermore, the person effected was improving, and his symptoms were as favorable as could be expected. The accused was the sole support of his mother, and since December last had been working for Mr Judd, who spoke very well of him. If he were incarcerated he would be unable to earn his livelihood. The present was not nearly so serious a case as one which came before the Bench a few days ago, and in which bail was allowed. He hoped [ the Bench would grant bail in such amounts as the prisoner would be able to find. Sergeant Gillies said that at the present stage ho should oppose bail being allowed, as Mr Agnew was in a dangerous condition. He was only asking for a short remand, and did not think it would be in the interests of justice that bail should be allowed. Mr Clendon urged that there was no doubt the affair was the result of acci-

dent. The accused and Agnew had j never met before Saturday evening, j Sergeant Gillies: If the police have been rightly informed and the information they have received can be proved correct we shall be able to put a different story before the Court. If I had thought the affair was accidental, the accused would not be in the lock-

up now- If Agnew's symptoms are more favorable on Friday I shall not then have any, objection to bail being allowed. Mr Clendon urged that the condition of Mr Agnew should not influence the decision of the Bench in regard to the question of bail. As the affair was an accident it would make.; no

difference even if the man were dead. The Bench: We can hardly admit prisoner to bail under the circumstances. The case stands remanded to Friday next. Bail is refused.