ATTEMPTED MURDER

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3585, 11 January 1927, Page 3

ATTEMPTED MURDER

FARMER, committed for TRIAL Stratford, January 10. Stanley Emerson Carlyle Taylor was charged at the Court this morning with, on November 14, attempting to murder James Farrelly at Tangarakau. Dr. Stevens gave evidence that Farrelly could not he understood on admission to hospital, owing to aswelling of the tongue, which was lacerated. His face was peppered with gunshot, wounds. The sight of the right, eye was gone. Farrelly, when called by the prosecution, refused to go into, the witness box to give evidence. . . The Magistrate told Farrelly 1 he need not answer questions^liable to incriminate him. He refused to reply to the detective when asked if he had any other reason for refusing to give evidence. Thomas McDonald gave evidence that Taylor asked for a gnu as Farrelly was trying to tie him up. Davis came along with the gun and Taylor chased Farrelly over the fence. When he was some distance away he heard a shot fired. Daniel John Davis, a neighbour of accused, said that he saw Farrelly crouched near a tree. Later lie crept towards Taylor’s trapshed and returned to the tree. Taylor spoke to Farrelly and afterwards said to Davis, “Bring that gun out and I’ll frighten the —.” Continuing his evidence Davis said that when he gave the gun to Taylor there were two cartridges in it. Witness saw McDonald who said something should lie done to get Farrelly shifted. Taylor said: “Farrelly is up in that fern over there. Watch while I go across and give him a fright.” Taylor went away and witness later went over to within a few yards of him. Taylor was standing on the ridge with the gun in his hands near where Farrelly was found. Witness did not hear any shot. , Tn reply to Detective Meiklejohn, witness said that his hearing was quite normal. Witness asked Taylor where Farrelly was. Taylor said: “He is lying there. I’ve shot him.” Witness said he had gone over to help Taylor to secure Farrelly and hand him over to the police for threatening behaviour. Taylor said: “I was firing over his head to frighten him and I hit him in the face.” Farrelly was taken to Taylor’s house and the police were railed in. At a later stage Farrelly was recalled hut again refused to give evidence. The Magistrate pointed out to Farrelly that lie could he committed to gaol until he gave evidence, failing which he could be kept in gaol for ever. The-Court adjourned for a few minutes to allow Farrelly to consult his friends and on resumption he gave evidence freely. In his evidence, Farrelly said he went: to Taylor’s house to get breakfast. They had words about the breakfast which Taylor did not want to give him, During the argument witness picked up a dog chain and Taylor ran -away. When Taylor called for the gun witness got away as quickly as possible. Witness was lying on the hill when Taylor came up with the gun. Taylor said: “Come out of it,” hut witness said, “Not as a prisoner.” The next, thing witness knew was that he was shot. A plea of not guilty was entered and the defence was reserved. Accused was committed for trial at the next sitting of the Supreme Court at New Plymouth.