NUNN’S TRIAL

Hokitika Guardian, 13 June 1931, Page 2

NUNN’S TRIAL

ATTEMPTED MURDER HI A ROE. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association) NAPIER, June 12. Herbert Frederick Nunn stood Jiis trial at the Napier Supreme Couit today on a charge of attempting to murder Mavis Steele Smith, at Hastings on April 7, A second count was added to the indictment, being “that with intent to do grievous bodily harm to- Mavis Steele Smith lie did discharge at the said Ala vis Steele Smith a gun loaded witn destructive material.” Accused pleaded not guilty. The Courthouse was crowded. The case lor the prosecution was conducted by -r Tl. B. Lusk. Air E. .J. W. Hallett appeared lor the accused. Outlining the case for the Crown, Air Lusk said the accused met the girl and lel 1 in love with her. He proposed, hut her father and mother refused, because he was either getting a divorce, or was divorced. In $pK. of this they continued to meet, although the father warned him not to see her. Eventually the girl came to the conclusion that she had made a mistake, and she made endeavours to avoid him. On the day of the shooting, the girl attended a wedding, and that night she went to a dance, being called for by a man named Eves. At ■ .Jo tho girl left her homo in Pakowluii Rond and turned 'into Lynch j hurst Road, whore they saw a car , turned towards the hedge. They, saw J the car was accused’s ■ and accused 1 was in the car. In addition, there was | evidence to show that* accused had ! been round the House prior to Aliss Smith leaving for the dance. After Aliss Smith left her hofiie, it was clear that, accused returned to Havelock, where lie met and talked with a resident. It appeared, however, that he was not content to remain in Havelock. At one o’clock next morning, Ali.ss Smith was dropped at the front gate, by Eves, and on entering the gate, was hailed by accused, Nunn, who was among some trees. He had a gun behind his hack. He asked her if she would marry him, and she refused whereupon lie said. “Then I’ll shoot you.” He then asked her to go and sit in the ear with him. and for some time they stood at the gate. For some reason, she ran away, and he chased her with a gun. AVlijle she was running away the gun was fired at her and she received a charge on I the hack of the head, receiving seri- | ous injuries. The man disappeared and did not even wait to see .what had happened, the girl being left stretched out on the lawn. This fact obviated the possibility of accident, . for in that case, the man would have I gone to see what lie had done. There I was n piece O e-.-id.-,-... i l*at really ' 'sfvttled' 'Hid wliold A 1 ! • ’ was j the fact that a lettei iotiM in | Nunn’s house, on the nig ,;.s arrest. The letter was in Nunn's writing to his daughter, and showed it was the intention of Nunn to kill the girl. It also looked from the letter as if accused intended to do away with himself. A detective was quickly on the scene. and on calling at accused’s house, found accused still dressed at three o’clock that morning. The ear was also warm and showed signs of recent use. The detective told him that Aliss Smith had beet) shot, and he replied, “Poor Mavis.” The detective asked Nunn if lie had a gun, and accused replied, “Yes.” The detective got the gun and smelt the barrels, the righthnnd one proving to have been recently used. Accused was asked where lie had been and said, “I did not shoot Mavis Smith. I may have been instrumental. Tne silly young devil.” Accused said he could say who did it, but would not at the moment. Accused possessed a ring on which was engraved the name “Afavis,” which further showed accused was deeply infatuated. Evidence would he given that accused was perfectly normal that evening and also quite able to talk sensible when interviewed by the detective early next morning.

Evidence for the prosecution followed on the lines of that given in uie lower Court.

Accused then went into the box, stated that ns a- result of shell shock at the war, he was in an English hospital for about a year. On returning to New Zealand he contracted influenza and pneumonia and other maladies. He was ill for several years and still suffered from headaches. He met Miss Smith in November, 1929. ji.iul immediately l>eeamo infatuated, and she returned the affection.

Accused said that lie went to Pakowhai Road after midnight, as he particularly wanted to see who brought Mavis home. He had no intention of shooting Ma vis when lie took the gun out of the car. He went inside the gate and waited for Mavis. The lat ter alighted from the car and started to run towards the house, and accused called “Mavis.” She stopped and came towards accused, who told her lie didn’t think she would go out to parties after promising not to. Nunn reminded her that he had spent about £250 on her. The pair walked ti? the gate, and accused asked her tc come to the car, and “if she would come to me as soon as possible.’ Mavis replied that she was not grinout with him any more. Beyond that, accused said, lie had no recollection of what occurred, until he got home, when he seemed to recall it.

The hearing was adjourned till to morrow.