ALLEGED ATTEMPT TO MURDER WIFE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2826, 20 December 1924, Page 4

ALLEGED ATTEMPT TO MURDER WIFE.

GROUNDLESS SUSPICIONS' 'OF INFIDELITY. Oamaru, December 17. In the Magistrate's Court beforeMr Bundle, S.M., John Holmes, ageci 72, was charged with attempting to murder his wife, Annie Isabella Holmes, on November 2, by shooting. Medical evidence showed that.

Mrs Holmes had been shot behind the lower jaw with a .12 calibre rifle and her condition for several weeks was serious. Mrs Holmes is much \omiger than her husband. Evidence was given by her that (hey had lived happily enough together but latterly Holmes had suspected infidelity on her pari, quite without justification. He Imd been n bit queer, but he bad nev.er threatened violence to himself or her. He complained of being unable to sleep, and told her some time before the shooting that he had not slept for weeks. They slept in different rooms. .She had been able to prove absolutely to Holmes that he was wrong in his suspicions, but that did not alter bis attitude. lie was under delusions witness could not shake. Holmes reserved his defence and was committed for trial nt a silting of the Supreme Court to be held in Oamaru on February 4. A charge of attempted suicide preferred against the accused was withdrawn by tho police.