DRAMATIC RETURN.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1738, 19 July 1917, Page 4

DRAMATIC RETURN.

“DEPLORABLY BAD MARKS- ' MANSHIP.” Extraordinary evidence was given at Manchester in the case in which Vivian Coryton, a gunner in the Royal Garrison Artillery, was charged with attempting to murder Walter Davies, a traveller. The latter, in the witness-box, said he had known the accused’s wife for some time, but was not aware she was married. Late at night he wont with Mrs Coryton to her house after spending the evening with her. In the early hours of the morning the accused suddenly' entered the room, and became very angry. Ho .-(niggled with witness, and his wife restrained him while witness dressed hurriedly and made off. In the excitement he left behind some business notepaper, a bunch of keys, and a watch. The following morning, on going to business, he heard shots tired behind him in Lancaster Avenue, and started to run. He turned round, and saw the accused about one hundred yards behind him. He heard about three shots altogether. Davies added that he had known accused’s wife for about .seventeen years. “We kept company together for about two years,” he said. “I changed my business, and we drifted apart. Then about three or four years ago 1 accidentally met her.” He had seen her frequently during the last three or four years. In a lengthy statement before his comittal to the next Assizes, accused said he arrived in Winchester about half-past three in the morning. “1 went upstairs with, a taper in my left hand,” he continued, “and a service-knife in the other. I went into the room, and found my wife and Davies. I did what seemed a natural thing in the circumstances, and went for him with the weapon, such as it was, in my hand.” He admitted firing four shots at the man, adding: “It was deplorably bad marksmanship.”