GUILTY OF ASSAULT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 31, 6 February 1941, Page 6

GUILTY OF ASSAULT

JURY REJECTS ATTEMPTED MURDER CHARGE VERDICT IN THE OAMARU CASE [ Ter Press Association, 1 DUNEDIN, Feb. 5. The trial of William Meehan, Oamai u, on a charge of attempted murder at Oamaru of George Robert Edwards and Frederick Henry McAuley, was continued to-day. A verdict was returned, alter an hours retirement, of assault committed by threatening with a loaded rifle and lixed bayonet. This was the last of a series of eight charges, ranging from alleged attempted murder. The accused was defended by Mr. C. S. Thomas, Christchurch, with him, Mr. Farrell, Oamaru. The major charges were of attempted murder* of George Robert Edwards and Frederick Henry McAuley, and committing bodily harm with a rifle. Mr. Adams, for the Crown, said the offences alleged occurred on October 13 while a meeting of Jehovah's Witnesses was in progress. A man came up to the ushers and the bullet which wounded McAuley passed through Edwards’ coat. The former suffered such injuries as to reduce him to a cripple. He was minus one leg. Heard A Shot. George Herbert Christensen, ot Oamaru, a Jehovah's Witness, stated that six records of a lecture had been put through when he heard a shot. Cross-examined, witness said that prior to the meeting he gave a man some literature, but he couldn't recall whether that man was accused. He denied having told this man that any fellow who went to fight in this war was a murderer. David Jackman. retired linesman, said he gave Meehan \bout 20 rounds of ammunition for pig shooting some eight years ago. Constable Buchanan stated that following a shot. McAuley fell forward, 1 crying out. He saw Edwards and Ridley holding Meehan down. The; latter was excited and smelt ot al- ■ cohol. but was quite sober. Meehan ■ said, “I know what I’m doing. They're i fifth columnists; that's the way to get 1 rid of fifth column b .” On the way to the police station accused said he had lost his head, but would do it again. He repated this at the station, adding: 'That is how France and Belgium went under.” Accused also said the rifle exploded accidentally ‘ and he hoped he hadn't hurt anyone else. When charged Meehan said, I ■'That's not correct. I didn't kltow I that man. The rifle went off acci- I dentally in a struggle." This concluded the Crown evidence, Mr. Thomas intimating that he was not calling evidence for the defence. In evidence yesterday, Hlarry Mark Stanley Bradbury, company sergeantmajor of the National Reserve, ; Oamaru, said accused was a member of the reserve and had been issued with a rifle and bayonet on August 2 last, the weapon being the one produced in Court. To Mr. Farrell, witness said accused was a returned soldier, and from his personal knowledge of him in the reserve he was a good soldier.

Railwayman’s Evidence. James Hubbard, railway employee, said he was on the way home on the night of the alleged crime when he passed accused, who was carrying a rifle. Frederick Henry McAuley, who called himself a preacher of the Gospel, said he was sitting in the halt half an hour after the meeting started when he heard a scuffle outside. He opened the door, and just al that moment a shot rang out and he felt a bullet go into his leg. He fell on the floor wounded. When he opened the door it was too dark in the lobby to see anything except the flash of a gun George Robert Edwards, preacher of the Gospel, said just after the meeting had started accused called at the hall and asked if the lecture had commenced. He said he was going away to get two friends who might be interested in the lecture. About a quarter of an hour later he returned and presented a rifle, stating: ‘‘l’ve got the wood on you —now put up your hands. If you don’t, I’ll shoot."

Witness was ordered to open the inner door of the hall, and hi .did so, just enough to call for McAuley. As the door closed accused went for him with the bayonet, stating that if he did not open the door he would blow witness' brains out. Witness w-arded off the bayonet with one hand and grabbed the rifle with the other. A struggle followed and then the inner door opened and someone looked out. The rifle went off. The other man present, Ridling, struck accused on the face and Meehan dropped the rifle and staggered out on to the street. Witness closed with him and held him till the police arrived. The Apostle Peter. Cross-examined by Mr. Thomas, witness said he had not been through a theological college. It was not necessary. Mr. Thomas; Have you had atny kind of special training at college? Witness: Did the Apostle Peter? That is not the answer. Did you have special training? —No. Were you put through any examination to see if you understood the Scriptures? —Yes, at various doors. Thais where you get the best training. You passed the sixth standard at school'-’—-No, neither did the Apostle Peter. Is Judge Rutherford your leader?No. Jesus Christ is our leade{. Is Judge Rutherford your leader on earth?—Christ is using him as anJnstrument but we don't look on --tn as a leader. Do you play records to people at the doors of houses if they don t want to hear them? —No. “Now, Edwards,” said Mr. Thomas, “I want the Court to hear what your teachings are.” Mr. Adams: I submit that is not relevant. r Mr. Thomas submitted legal argument on the question of the admissibility of such evidence, stating that unless the jury knew what was going on in the hall it could not understand the case or the state of mind of accused. Accused knew that sqjwersive and seditious teaching w'as going on

in the hall and he was going into the hall to stop it. Mr. Adams submitted that the whole of the teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses was a "red herring” and that the trial should not be perverted into a religious discussion. His Honour ruled that Mr. Thomas might elicit evidence as to the nature of the meeting and as to accused’s beliefs of the nature of the meeting as going to show intent. Mr. Thomas (to witness): Are Jehovah’s Witnesses against all organised religion? Witness: Yes. but not against individuals in any religion. Hallett Ridling, a member of Jehovah's Witnesses, corroborate!! the evidence of the previous witness regarding the occurrence outside the hall. Cross-examined, witness said the recorded lecture at the hall was not a religious one. It was entitled “Government and Peace.” Ronald William Arnott, mechanic, who attended the meeting, gave evidence regarding the affray. Under cross-examination, he admitted that he had discussed the case with other witnesses and “practised for cross-examination.”