(Before His Honour the Chief Justice Sir Robert Stout).

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 10365, 14 June 1901, Page 3

(Before His Honour the Chief Justice Sir Robert Stout).

CBIMINAL SESSIONS.

THVBSBAY, JUNE 13:

Attempted mubdeb.

After we went to press yesterday, further evidence in the case of attempted murder against George Shanahan (otherwise George Shannon) was continued, such being mainly in the direction of identifying the accused as the person implicated: The witnesses were explicit in giving such evidence. The concluding evidence for tho prosecution was that of Detective Bishop, to the effect that he found the prosecufrix lying at *Mf Butcher's gate, her face being covered * with blood. Con- ' stable Clouston rendered first aid, and took the, woman to the Hospital. Noticed on going to' a certain piece of ground that a struggle had taken place, there being a lot of blood in the vicinity, and 'a woman's hat, much ' broken, was found close by. Witness identified the clothing of ptosecutrix, there being marks of blood on .various parts. The woman recognised accused at the Hospital. Witness then detailed how a number of people had identified accused under the circumstances mentioned. Constable Ward gave evidence as to . the arrest of the accused and the aearoh at the police station," a lot of blood being' found on his clothing. The blood on the handkerchief in one of the pockets was quite wet.' ■ TJriS concluded the case for the prosecution. * The accused was then asked the usual , questions, and in addressing His Honor Baid he was entirely ignorant of tho facts. Then addressing the jury he said that .unfortunately 'he "got on the beer," and had. no, knowledge of committing the offence. That was all he "bfld to IsSY* "..His. Honor summed up, telling the jury that if they believed th.c witnesses, 'thfe evidence .was very conclusive, as to the, accused being the person charged JOth the four counts in the indictment. If the witnesses were riot- to be Relieved then they would have" t<J understand that they were labouring under a gross delusion. .The jury retired at 4.15 to consider •their verdict, and returned .to Court at 4.30 with a verdict of not gnttty on the first count, but guilty on the remaining • three. ' His Honor thanked the jury for their iervices and. intimated that he would reserve anything he -had to say until next morning. -• Tha Court then adjourned until 10 next morning.