Attempted Murder.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 July 1922, Page 1

Attempted Murder.

[by TELEGRAPH—PER PnESS ASSOCIATION] MAN ATTACKS DETECTIVE. HAMILTON, July 12. At the Poire Court William Alexander Crossin, a young man, was charged with the attempted murder of Detective Lambert, of discharging a revolver at Leo Jury, and five charges of breaking,, entering and theft. Detective Lambert gave evidence that ho had investigated the burglaries niid went to Frankton Junction Railway Station, where lie saw accused, who admitted stealing boots which be was wearing. Witness subsequently searched accused’s room and iound a sand-hag a- jemmy, pliers, and some cartridges, also clothing which accused admitted stealing. In reply to questioning accused had said the revolver stolen from the metal store was hidden in a gully at Tamahene, four miles out. A party went out in a car driven by Leo Jury and searched for the revolver, hut without success, and witness gave orders to leave on the return to Hamilton. Witness and Constable Sutton were getting under a fence rail when' accused, without warning said:, “Put your hands up.” and presented a revolver. Witness was advancing, upon accused, when the latter told him to stand or lie would shoot. Wit ness told accused not to lie silly and lontinucd to advance. Accused then ordered Jury to get in the car. Jury ran away, and accused pointed the revolver at him and pulled the trigger, hut the weapon failed to discharge. Jury called out: “It’s alright it is not loaded. Accuser answered: “Isn’t it?” and fired into the ground. Witness, by tins time, had approached within three feet and in an attempt to secure the revolver, secured a light hold upon the weapon. Accused then ordered him to stand o/r and threatened to shoot, adding that be was desperate and did not want to live. He then wrenched the irvolvcr from witnesss right grasp, stepped hack a few paces and fired, shooting witness in the abdomen. Hie shot was a deliberate one and there could |,e no suggestion that the revolver went off accidently during the struggle After firing the shot accused bolted up the bill, but was secured by’the police. . ~ In answer to a question witness sale the accused was perfectly sober, cool and collected the whole time. Dr Gower said the bullet in Detective Lambert lmd not been located, hut the injury was consistent with Lis having been shot. . Corroborative evidence was given by Constable-Sutton, who said accused ad-) milted afterwards having bad the revolver all the time. He said lie loaded it in the lavatory in the Royal Hotel where be was allowed to go on his way out to Tamaliere.

T.eo Jury also gave corroborative evidence. . Accused pleaded guilty to the mugInry and theft charges and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. He pleaded not guilty on the charge of the attempt to murder Detective Lumber and of discharging the revolver at Leo Jurv, the taxi driver. He reserved his defence and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. He was charged with having an unregistered firearm in his possession.-