A RELIGIOUS MANIAC.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1071, 18 November 1911, Page 4

A RELIGIOUS MANIAC.

At 33, Eastbourne street, Windsor (Victoria), on November Ist, William Griiliu, a single man $36), who bad been remarkable in his behaviour lately, aud affected with religious mauia, entered his mother’s room with a revolver in his hand, and asked her, suggestively, whether she “ would like to go to heaven.” His mother screamed in alarm, and told him to put the weapon away. Griffin went oil to his bedroom, but presently came back to inform his mother that he had decided on taking his nephew to heaven instead of her. Great concern was then felt for Griffin’s young nephew, who was also on the premises. Presently the maniac walked towards the door leading into the passage at the side of the house, and finding that his mother was following him, he turned round, fired a shot at her, aud then stepped into the passage. Fortunately, the shot missed the old lady. In the passage the revolver was pluckily grabbed out of Griffin’s hand by his sister, Mrs Petherick, hut immediately afterwards he took from his pocket a razor, aud before anything could be done to prevent him, he cut his throat, aud fell to the ground. A coustable, who was sent for, took him to the Royal Prince Allred Hospital, where he was reported to be in a critical condition.

A charge has been made against the wounded man, additional to that of attempted suicide, of having shot at his mother, Bridget Griffin.