Charge of Attempted Murder.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11644, 23 August 1905, Page 5

Charge of Attempted Murder.

DUNEDIN, Augußt 22. . At • the Supreme Court to-day, Allan' Garth MacGregdr was charged with attempting to murder William, Ernest Sargood, of Sargood, Son and Ewen. McGregor was manager of one of Sargood's ■ factories, and .was spoken to by Sargood about his drinking, and told to see Sar- • good next morning. Shortly after he pur-, chased a -revolver and .cartridges, drove up to Sargood's residence, and, when the/ ■latter consented to speak to him, fired a-, shot just on- entering the drawing-room,-the shot entering the cheek and coming out at the back of the ear. w The evidence was on much the same lines as at the Police Court. . ■

No evidence was called for the defence,. * which was conducted bw Messrs W. C. Me- ' Gregor and Hanlon." Counsel in .the address to the jury said it was evident accused did' not intend to kill Sargood, a most con- . siderate employer and kind friend. On Mr Ewen asking him if he was mad he re-, plied, "Yes, I am mad." Undoubtedly the;/; man was mad' when he committed the' act. He had no intention of committing 1 it. Nov more convincing proof was needed that ac-. cused did not intend to murder Sargoodc'. than Sargood's magnanimous conduct, in. writing to the acciffed in gaol and- offering? to do what he could for the accused's little girl. Counsel contended that .the ac- . cused hadf gone to the house to give up .the keys of the factory, and, putting his hand, in his pocket, unfortunately drew out the' revolver. He asked .the jury to acquit ac-'. ■ cused of the more serious charge. , \ After 50 minutes' retirement the jury returned with a verdict that accused shot Sargood while temporarily insane.

In reply to the Judge, the foreman said' they could not get away from the -fact that the accused shot 'Sargood,- but at .the, same time they were unanimous that he) was not in hfs -right -mind at the time. - His Honor made an order that the accused should be kept in strict custody in * gaol at Dunedin till the Colonial-Secre-tary's pleasure was khqwn. •