Alleged Attempted Murder.
M EJECTED LOYER. nnevirko Magistrate’s Court was crowded on Thursday, when Edward Scarfe, a well-built middleaged man, was charged before Messrs Knight and McKay, Justices, with the attempted murder of Mrs French, wife of a storekeeper, on the 19th inst. ; Accused, who was undefended, showed a callous demeanour. Inspector McDonnell, of Napier, and Sergeant Cruickshank prosecuted. Kata French, whom the doctor described as a “solid, powerful woman," said she first met accused six years ago, when she kept a boardinghouse. Witness denied that she was engaged to him. He persisted in talking to her, and hanging about her, but she didn’t want anything to do with him. Since witness was married, Scarfe had annoyed her husband. He left a letter at her house one night addressed “Miss Burroughs” (her maiden name, which he always used in speaking to her.) Her husband, who took it to the police, did not reply .to it in any way. She had never given him any cause to annoy her or attack her in any way. Witness said she had induced her husband to fix up a speaking-tube between the house and the shop because she was nervous on account of accused. She always kept her windows looked, at night, and also kept a whistle to blow in case of need. These steps were taken from fear- of accused. On the day of the assault accused went to her place about five o’clock in the afternoon. Witness was in the kitchen and saw him pass the He was walking very quickly towards the back door. While she turned round, waiting for him to knock, he pushed the door open and rushed up to her, and using an oath he said, “ It’s you who has caused me all this trouble." He then seised her by the throat and threw her violently to the floor. He held his hand right over her mouth and nose and knelt on her breast. He was groaning all the time, while witness was fighting and scratching his face and hands. He held her mouth so tightly that she could not speak, saying, HI do for you now.” He then changed hands over her mouth, and as he did so his other hand went back as though feeling for hia pocket. Witness struggled very hard and got to her feat, but accused grabbed her by the shoulders and kicked her in the stomach. His threats were accompanied by vulgar languagc^^ Dr gave evidence as to the serious injuries the woman had received, which were of a brutal nature. Mrs French’s condition increased tbs gravity of the attack. The husband testified to the annoyanoe accused had subjected him and hia wife to. One morning accused went to the back of the house ' and said, “ I want the girl.” Witness replied, “ Oh, you’re too late. We are married.” Accused con- . tradioted the statement, but Mrs French showed him her wedding ring. Accused said, “ Anybody can put on a brass ring. Show me your marriage lines.” On many occasions accused’s conduct was of an annoying and threatening character. To the constable accused said “I have been persecuted for seven years. I intended to put an end to it.” A pooketknife found on accused bore signs of having been sharpened, and had a keen edge. Scarfe interrogated a couple of the witnesses, and was then committed for trial at Napier. Bail was refused.
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Manawatu Herald, 29 August 1903, Page 3
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570Alleged Attempted Murder. Manawatu Herald, 29 August 1903, Page 3
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