CHARGE OF MURDER

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 38, 8 November 1918, Page 6

CHARGE OF MURDER

9 MKS. MOODY DISCHARGED. By TcleEraph-rPreas Association. Dunedin, November 7. At the Supreme Court to-day, Mr. Justice Sim presiding, Mary Jane Moody was charged with the attempted murder of her husband, Benjamin William James Moody, by shooting* Mr. M'Gregor, K.C., acted as Crown Prosecutor, and Mr. Scurr defended. The evidence showed that the accused and her husband had not lived happily together, having been twice separated. On the occasion of the shooting the accused went to her husband's home to see a sick child. The husband was summoned, and hearing his wife's voice in altercation with the housekeeper, Miss Medley, he feared that she was going to assault the latter. On seeing his wife he carried her to the gate. During the struggle the accused took a revolver from under her jacket and fired, Hie bullet striking Moody near the left armpit. Accused gave evidence on her own behalf. She said that her husband wits acting like a hadmnn. He assaulted her and hit her windpipe. Fearing for her life, she placed the revolver against his shoulder and fired. TTatl die wished to kill him she could Have plnccd it against his heart. The jury found a verdict of not guilty, and accused was discharged.