YOUNG WOMAN SHOT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 137, 12 June 1931, Page 8

YOUNG WOMAN SHOT

LOVER STANDS TRIAL ATTEMPTED MURDER CHARGE CASE FOR CROWN STATED [Per Press Association. I NAPIER, June .11. Hubert Frederick Nunn stood his trial at the Napier Supreme Court this morning on a charge of attempting to murder Mavis Steele Smith at Hastings on April 7, 1931. A second count was added to the indictment, being "that with intent to do grievous bodily harm to Mavis Steele Smith, he did discharge at the said Mavis Steele Smith a gun loaded with destructive material.” Accused pleaded not guilty. The courtho us.’ was crowded.

'The case for the prosecution was conducted by Air IL B. Lusk. Mr E. J. W. Hallett appeared for the accused. Outlining the case for the Crown, Mr Lusk said that accused met the girl and fell in love with her. He proposed, but tho father and mother refused because ho was either getting a divorce or was divorced. In spite of this they continued to meet although the father warned him not to sec her. Eventually the girl camo to the conclusion that sho had made a mistake, and made endeavours to avoid him. On the day in question, the girl attended a wedding, and that night she went to a dance, being called for by a man named Eves. At 7.30 the girl left her homo in Pakowhai Road and turned into Lyndhurst Road, where they saw a car turned towards the hedge. They saw the car was accused’s, and accused was in the car. Ln addition there was evidence to show that accused had been around the hou<e. prior to Miss Smith leaving for the

After Miss Smith left home, it was clear that accused returned to Havelock, where he met and talked with a resident. It appeared, however, he was not content to remain in Havelock. At one o’clock the next morning, Miss Smith was dropped at the front gate by Eves, and on entering the gate was hailed by accused, Nunn, who was among some trees. He had a gun behind his back. He asked her if she would marry him and she refused, whereupon he said, “Then I’ll shoot you.” He then asked her to go and sit in the car with him, and for some time they stood at the gate. For some rea son sho ran away, and he chased her with the gun. While running away the gun was fired at her, and she received the charge on the back of the head, receiving serious injuries. The man disappeared and did not even wait to see what had happened, tho girl being left stretched out on tho lawn. This fact obviated the possibility of an accident, for in that case the man would have gone to see what he had done. There was a piece of evidence that really settled the whole matter. This was the fact that a letter was found in Nunn's house on tho night of his arrest. The letter was in Nunn’s writing and to his daughter, and showed it was the intention of Nunn to kill the girl. It also looked, from tho letter, as if accused intended to do away with himself.

A detective was quickly on the scene, and on calling at accused’s house, found accused still dressed at three o’clock that morning. The car also was warm, and showed signs of recent use. The detective told him that Miss Smith had been shot, and he replied, “Poor Mavis.”

The detective asked Nunn if he had a gun, and accused replied, “Yes.” The detective got the gun and smelt the barrels, the right-hand one proving to have been recently used. Accused was asked where he had been, and said, “I did not shoot Mavis Smith. I may have been instrumental. The silly 'young devil.” Accused said he could say who did it, but would not at the moment. Accused possessed a ring on which was engraved the name “Mavis,” which further showed that accused was deeply infatuated. Evidence would be given that accused was perfectly normal that evening and also was quite able to talk sensibly when interview by the detective early next morning. Evidence for the prosecution followed on the lines of that given in the lower court. Accused then went into the box, stating that as a result of shell shock at the war, he was in an English hospital for about a year. On returning to New Zealand he contracted influenza, pneumonia and other maladies. He was ill for several years and still suffered from headaches. He met Miss Smith in No yeniber 1929, and immediately became infatuated, and she returned his affection. Accused said he went to Pakowhai Road after midnight, as he particularly wanted to see who brought Mavis home. He had no intention of shooting Mavis when he took the gun out of tho car. He went inside the gate and waited for Mavis. The latter alighted from the car and started to run towards the house, and accused

called “Mavis.” She stopped and came towards accused, who told her he didn’t think she would go out to parties after promising not to. Nunn reminded her that ho had spent about £250 on her. The pair walked to the gate and accused asked her to come to the car and if she would “come to me as soon as possible.” Mavis revlied that she was not going out with him any more. Beyond that, accused said he had no recollection of what occurred until he got home, when he seemed to recall it. The hearing was adjourned till tomorrow.