ATTEMPTED MURDER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1529, 10 August 1905, Page 2

ATTEMPTED MURDER.

SHOOTING OF MR SARGOOD. (Per Press Association.) Dunedin, yesterday, Allen Garth McGregor was charged at the Police Court to day with the attempted murdor of William Ewart Sargood. Sargood's evidence was to the effect that acoused had been in the firm’s employ for 2£ years as manager of the clothing factory, for which he was well paid. On July 27th witness visited the factory about 4.30, and found acoused locked in his office from the outßide. Witness got the key, and went in and found accmed sitting in bis chair. Ho believed he had been drinking. He was certainly under the influence of strong exoitement. Witness told accused to leave the factory at once, and Bee witness when in a fit oonditioD in the morning. Accused asked what was to be gained, or words to that effect. The same evening accused came to witness’ house at diunor time. Witness told him he had no time to speak to him, and would see him in the morning. Accused asked why not then, and witness said because he was having dinner with friends, and was going out immediately. Accused persisted, and the two went into the drawing room. When inside witness turned to accused to tell him to be quick, when there wbb an explosion, and he knew that he had been shot. Witness thought accused said, " Yes, I have done this,” or something like that.

Sargood’s gardener, Ernest Kaye, stated that McGregor expressed a wish he had shot his own child before shooting Bargood.

A FULLER REPORT.

THE ACCUSED’S STRANGE CONDUCT.

f (Per Press Association.) 3 Dunedin, last night. 3 At the Police Court to day Allan Garb a McGregor appeared on remand on a charge . of attempting to commit murder by £ shooting William Ernest Bargood. Mr 3 J. F. M. Fraser, Crown Proseoutor, con--3 duoted the prosecution, and Mr W. G r McGregor appeared for tbe accused, who appearod to be in a depressed condition. , Mr Fraser having outlined the nature of [ the evidence, Dr F. Stanley Batchelor,who . attended Mr Sargood, gave evidenoe that . tho wound was in a dangerous place, but . fortunately dangerous injury was not done. William Ernest Sargood gave evidence , as already telegraphed. Cross examined witness said accused toldbim.ha was a broken-hearted man. He was deeply depressed, He said he would not be alive on Sunday morning. Witnoss tried to get the morbid idea out of his mind. David Alexonder Ewen, brother-in-law of W. E. Sargood, who was dining with the latter on the night of the occurrence, Baid he heard a shot about 15 seconds after Mr Sargood left tho dining room. He jumped up with his brother, and on going to tho drawing room had some difficulty in opening the door, as someone appeared to bo holding it on the other side. On opening it they saw MacGregor with a revolver in bis hand. Witness grasped his hand and his brothor seized the other. Accused said,‘‘Yes, I Ltavo dono it.” Accused asked to be released and tried to got his arms free, but they threw him down, and tbe gardener coming in witness’s brother took tho revolver from M»cGregor. Witness then went to sre Mr Sargood, and re- , turning to accused asked him if ho had any j accomplice. He said no. J. F, Ewen gave corroborative evidence. i Witness as-ked accused if he had killed • Sargood, and he replied “ I hope so.” j Witness asked him the meaning of it, and j accused said that Sargood had insulted ( him in tho a f ternoon in a way he could t never forget. After further evidence counsel for no- r cuscd, said he did not proposo to address tbe Court, but referred to tho fact that Dr j. Church when sent to gaol to see accused j was not allowed to do so. He supposed tbo authorities acted by rule, but if so the j rulo was a wrong one. Accused reserved his defence and was committed for trial, bail being refused. r