CHARLES ROBERT GRAY ADMITS ATTEMPTED MURDER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18992, 11 February 1930, Page 1

CHARLES ROBERT GRAY ADMITS ATTEMPTED MURDER.

Indicted On Five Counts In Supreme Court To-day.

BOTH BROTHERS WILL BE SENTENCED BY MR JUSTICE ADAMS TO-MORROW MORNING. In the Supreme Court to-day. the Grand Jury returned a true bill against Charles Robert Cray, who was indicted on five counts: — (1) That on July 16, 1929, he attempted to murder Edward Hammond. (2) That, with intent to do grievous bodily harm to Hammond, he did do actual bodily harm to Hammond. (3) That, with intent to resist lawful apprehension, he discharged at Hammond a certain arm, to wit, a pistol, loaded with destructive materials.

(4 ) That he, with intent to facilitate the Right of an offender, to wit, himself, upon the attempted commission of a crime, to wit, theft, by violent means, he rendered Hammond incapable of resistance. (5) That he assaulted Hammond with intent to resist the lawful apprehension of himself, Charles Robert Gray. Gray, who was quite composed in the dock, said “Guilty” in a clear, steady voice. His attitude was one of composure. One handed rested on the rail of the dock, and his eyes gave one quick glance around the Court. Otherwise, he had an air of indifference to the proceedings. When Gray pleaded guilty, the Registrar said: “Guilty to all the charges? ” Mr Donnelly, Crown Prosecutor: Guilty to the first count will be sufficient ’ His Honour: Just on the first count2 Air Donnelly: Yes, sir. Mr Donnelly asked if it would be convenient to septence Charles Robert Gray and his brother, James Wilfred Gray, guilty of arson, burglary, breaking and entering, and theft to-morrow. His Honour: Yes, very well. The prisoner is remanded for sentence until 10.15 a.m. to-morrow. Mr Burns appeared for Gray.

i This is related to some extent to the breaking and entering of warehouses in ( which the present accused is concerned. ! The story of the attempted murder is said to have occurred in Hammond’s premises in Oxford Terrace, and not far from where we are now sitting. Mr Hammond, who locked the premises at 5.30 p.m., returned at 9.30 p.m. There was some communication between Mr Hammond’s premises and the adjoining premises of a motor company. From the evidence of the Lower Court, you will find that Mr Hammond’s statement was that he was doing something in the place when he heard a noise in another part of the building, and discovered accused. There was some conversation about Mr Hammond letting accused off, but, as was Mr Hammond’s duty, he did not let him go. When Mr Hammond’s back was turned a shot was fired, and the bullet which penetrated his lung has not been removed. You ought to have no difficulty in regard to this case.” I'm®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®

In his address to the Grand Jury at the opening of the session, Mr Justice Adams said:— “ The remaining case is of attempted murder against Charles Robert Gray.