THE MALAQUIN SHOOTING.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 February 1921, Page 3

THE MALAQUIN SHOOTING.

trial of husband. EURTHER PARTTCULA RS. [BY TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION’] CHRISTCHURCH Feb. 15. (At the Supreme Court Frederick

Malaquin, aged ‘2d, charged with attempted murder of his wife, Hath Trane Malaquin. aged 21 at New Brighton on November 7th., was continued. Mr A. T. Donnelly prosecuted and Mr AT. ,T. Oresson represented prisoner. Opening for (lie Crown. Mr Donnelly said that Malaquin retired aliont midnight on November (sth., and during the night Mrs Malaquin woke up feeling a pain in her face. Aroused was out of bed. He explained he had heard a sound which frightened hint and he was about to investigate tlie cause. Mrs Malaquin was kneeling-on the lied with blood streaming down her face. Accused said : “What on earth have you been doing? Hava you Wn trying to shoot yourself ? There is a hole in your face.” There was a revolver lying on the bed. Mrs Malaquin was evidently under the impression she had lmen shot bv an intruder. Although accused had wanted to go for a doctor his wife refused to allow him to do c o. She was afraid the intruder might >r. turn "to do her further hurt. The wound was in the vicinity of the temple. An extraordinary feature was that both went hack to bod where they stayed until daylight. Accused anpeaml not to know how serious the injury was Tn the early morning accused rose, breakfastfed, shaved and he proceeded for a doctor. To the doctor accused explained his wife had shot herself. T.ater ho made a statement to the police admitting that, accidentally he had shot his wife and stating subsequently he became half silly with fear and did not know really what he was doing. Counsel referred to accused's relations with other women. Accused was nominally good to his wife and yet he met other women, suggested matrimony and had intercourse with thorn. The main points for the jury to take into consideration were: Why did accused not admit having shot his. wife inivmediateljy after the occuirrence ? Why did he not go for help? Why did lie not immediately call a doctor? Mrs Malaquin gave evidence on the lines of counsel’s statement. They hftd been living together ever since, and she regarded the present proceedings as sheer nonsense. Dr. Aclaiid described tbe course of the bullet, and its subsequent removal. Mr Gresson explained, by tile aid of a pistol and two law books, representing twin pillows, how a revolver could he placed undiejr the left pillow by Mnlaquin in such a way as to produce a wound similar to that inflicted on Mrs Malaquin. Dr Acl and admitted counsel's explanation was a feasible one. Accused in tbe course of his evidence, said he heard a sound as of a match being struck and got up to investigate. He found nothing. and went hack to bed. As he was placing the revolver under the pillow, it exploded. His wife gave a shiver and a groan. She lay still. Witness thought he had killed her. Tic jumped out of bed, and lit a candle and his wife turned on her left side and raised herself ( in bed. Witness helped her out of bed on his side. He remembered saying somtliing a limit her being shot and told her lie would go for a doctor. His wife would not let him leave her Tn tin 1 morning lie thought it looked bad for him that he hadn’t- got a doctor. When his wife made a suggestion as to sleep walking he grasped as it. Tie stuck to it when he was told, by the authorities that the wound could not have possible been self-inflicted. He was sick of the whole business, and came out with tb 0 true stor\\ His Honour deferred the summing up till to-morrow.

MALA QUIN NOT GUILTY. CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. Tn the Malaquin case the Judge’s summing up was generally in favour of accused. The jury after an hour’s retirement, returned a verdict of “Not Guilty.”