CHARGE AGAINST HUSBAND

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14592, 16 February 1921, Page 5

CHARGE AGAINST HUSBAND

ALLEGED ATTEMPTED MURDER. MALAQITX BEFORE THE COURT. By Telegraph.—Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Tuesday. Frederick diaries Malaquin appeared at Hie Supreme Court on a charge of attempting lo murder iiis wife at New Brighton on November 7 last. He pleaded not guilty. The jury challenges were unusually heavy. in prosecuting Hie case for the Grown, Mr Donneljy said Hie case presented unusual features, and it would lie necessary for the jury to discard any preconceived ideas they had of it. He detailed the ascertainable facts relating to the shooting, and said the, accused had lold the police Iwo stories —first that ids wife had attempted to commit suicide, and second, that when putting a revolver under his pillow it went off, accidentally shooting ids wife. That story would probably be pul forward by Hie defence, hut evidence would lie given to show that Hie revolver required a pull o/ Udlis. and that it went off accidentally was not likely. The evidence, of accused’s relationship with oilier women would he tendered to establish a motive for shooting. Mrs Malaquin gave evidence that early on the morning, of November 7 she was awakened by a sharp pain in tier face. Her husband was" standing in the room and she saw a revolver lying on the bed. but did not realise tiiat she had been shot, and she persuaded her husband md lo go for a doctor because she was nervous. Later, about 7 o’clock, her husband went for a doctor. While site was m the hospital her husband called and said lie hud accidentally shot her. Refore that she had an idea that she must have walked in her sleep and shot herself. She knew no reason why her husband should wish to injure her. Cross-examined. Hie witness said her husband begged several times to he allowed to go for a doctor. Ho had Been a good husband, and she. regarded tiie charge against him as sheer nonsense. CHRISTCHURCH, Wednesday. The Judge’s summing up was generally in favour of Hie accused, and Hie jury, after a retirement of an hour, relumed a verdict of ‘‘not guilty.”