NUNN CONVICTED

Hokitika Guardian, 15 June 1931, Page 2

NUNN CONVICTED

SEVEN YEARS’ DETENTION

QUESTION OF SANITY.

(By Telegraph —Per Press Association)

NAPIER, June 12

Summing up, his Honour outlined the simple illustration of a man who had a debt owing to him, and after making representations lor payment, threatened to shoot the debtor if it was not paid. When the account was later presented the debtor refused to make payment, and be was shot at. Subsequently the creditor said he shot his debtor, but lie did not mean to do it. His Honour contended the present case was practically identical with his illustration. If a defence of the kind was to be accepted, bis Honour remarked lie was thankful the responsibility was that of the jury and not his own. There was no doubt that accused was infatuated with the girl, and bad made a threat which he had carried into effect. It was true that there was nothing sinister in having the gun in the car—so long as he had left it there. Nunn evidently thought she was dead, and had ci-arni out. Shortly afterwards he had written a letter in which he stated he had always vowed that no other man would have the git‘l. Wlletl he Was questioned by the police was the tiine for him to have said he did not intend to .shoot the girl, and not merely to have said he did not do it, but knew who did, The jury returned a verdict of guilty after 40 minutes’ retirement.

Sentencing Hubert Frederick Nunn to seven years’ reformative detention, for the attempted murder of Mavis Steel .Smith, at Hastings, on April 7. Chief Justice Myers said that he did not regard the the accused as of stable mentality hut he wa,s very far from being insane as laid down by legal definition. At the same time, His Honour said, human life must be protected and offences of this type could not be allowed to be committed. His Honour added that he did not intend to inflict a term of imprisonment with hard labour. but would sentence accused to a long term of reformative detention, during which time he would be under observation.