ATTEMPTED MURDER

Hokitika Guardian, 9 March 1926, Page 1

ATTEMPTED MURDER

ALAN SHOOTS AT WOMAN. UV TELECU.U’II —PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT. AUCKLAND. Alarch 8. Ensdrick George Alayes was charged in the Polite Court with attempting to murder Agnes Walker, and was committed for trial at the Supremo Court. Walker, aged about 22, said she was a inarriet! woman living apart from her husband. .For two months prior tn February 22nd.. she had been living with accused as man and wife. On February 22nd. she had visited her mother ai Bapakura. and returned to her home in Freeman's Bay at 9 p.m. Accused said to her, “I want to speak to von. 1 know all about AYalker (her husband) coming here to-day.” Accused refused to believe that she had been on a visit to her mother, and high words followed. She ran into a lane, followed by Alaves, who caught hold of her. She had a baby in her amts, and, being frightened called for help. Accused relaxed his hold and called to a man who lived in the same house “Bring that gun down here.”

Witness said: “Don’t do it. For God's sake use your head I” The man (Trainer) brought the rifle which Alayes usually kept in his wardrobe, and gave it to a--: used. Trainer took' tins ha by from her, and accused pointed the rifle at her. She ran up the lane, and when she was fourteen yards away, she heard a shot, hut was not injured.

Trainer said in evidence that when h<- gave the gun to accused he thought it was empty. He heard Alayes say: “I will shoot you. you —!” Witness .snatched the baby from Airs Walker, saying to accused: “Don’t he silly, Fred. Take a pull !" Accused pointed the rifle straight at Airs Walker. who was two yards away, and pulled the trigger. The gun misfired. Trainer told her to run. AY hen she was fifteen yards away. Mayors fired again, and missed. After this AI avers turned to witness; who was holding the baby, and said. “Hold him up. I will shoot him too.” The arresting Constable said that Alayes at first- denied having Hie rifle: hut later s-aid : “T know Constable. 1 am a fool. T fired the shot in the air over my wife’s head.” When charged' with attempted murder. accused said. “I'll plead guilty lo the lot. f don't want- to say anything. ft was just my bad temper.”