A SERIOUS CHARGE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 234, 2 October 1929, Page 9

A SERIOUS CHARGE

MAN COMMITTED FOR TRIAL [ Per Press Association ] CHRISTCHURCH, Oct. 1. Russell George McCarthy, aged 23, was charged before the Magistrate (Mr Levvey) with attempting to murder Theresa Mary O’Neill, a domestic on September 25, and with carrying firearm for an unlawful purpose. He was committed to the {Supreme Court for trial. This was the sequel to the Empire Hotel incident. A detective gave evidence that in a statement accused said he had only intended to give the girl a fright in order to induce her to return. He admitted putting a bullet in the breach of the gun. “I did not intend to hurt her. J loved her too much for that. I know now I let jealously get the better of me.” Detective-Sergeant O’Brien said that he found a cardboard box containing 26 live cartridges under the bed in McCarthy’s room Theresa Mary O’Neill, single, aged 19, gave evidence that she was a waitress at the Empire Hotel. She had known accused for ten months. They had been living together for the past tour months. After a quarrel on September 25, she returned to the hotel. McCarthy followed and produced a rifle in two pieces. He put it together and then said: “I’ll shoot you.” He worked the magazine of the rifle. She said: “I’ll come home; I’ll come home.” With that he gave her a push. She rushed outside and cried for help. Mr T. E. Robinson, licensee of the hotel, came and struggled with accused, who was terribly excited. Robinson’s evidence was to the ' effect that when he picked . » the rifle it was cocked ready to fire. Ho later saw a police sergeant take a cartridge out of the breech and another out of the magazine. Witness saw accused struggling with the girl and trying to get the rifle round her head.

The police evidence corroborated that of the rifle being loaded.