THE MORAY PLACE SHOOTING CASE.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 203, 17 January 1873, Page 5

THE MORAY PLACE SHOOTING CASE.

Thomas Hyan, ex-sergeant of police was charged with having at Dunedin, on the 4th instant, shot one James Parrell with intent to kill and murder him. The accused was undefended.

Sub-Inspector Mallard mentioned that Farrell was unable- to attend in consequence of his wound ; but he (the Inspector) would produce sufficient evidence to justify him in asking for a remand. He called, Thomas Humphries, who said: I am a miner, and reside at present at the Auld Scotland Hotel, Stuart street. Shortly after eleven o'clock—l should say a'quarter or twenty minutes past—on Saturday, night I was going towards my home, and was .walking on the Octagon FTotel side.of Stuart street, and when near Moray Place , heard what I took to be a pistol shot. I heard the shot very distinctly •, it came from the direction of the new First Church. I crossed over on to the opposite corner of the street, to where some timber is stacked in Brodrick's ; timber yard, and stood there for a moment—for two or three seconds perhaps —then a second shot came from the same direction, and I saw the flash of it distinctly. I stood still, and two more shots, followed: in close succession. I then ran up to where ■ the shot came from, : and heard cries of " murder." On reacliing the spot, I saw Detective Farrell, whom I had known "previously. H e wa,s then inside of the right-of-way 1 when I' came up. I asked him what was the matter ; and he said, " Hyan, at the European, has shot me." Those are his words, as near as I can recollect. A man, who cam e out of the house at the corner of Moray Place and Stuart street (it's a restaurant, I think), then came up. I saw no other, person. I took Farrell into the house ; and in doing so, was assisted by the man I have referredto. When I observed the flash of the second shot, I saw no one. I was then about thirty or forty yards from the. right-of-way. I have seen the accused before. I did not see hirn on the night in question. —By the accused : I don't recollect seeing you at all that night. 1 The night was very dark. I knew Farrell's voice the moment I heard it. Had I not known it, I must have gone quite close tip to him to recognise him. It was very dark in the right-of-way—darker than outside, because of the trees in the right-of-way. I think I should have had to go as close to Farrell outside as inside the right-of-way in order to recognise his features had I not known his voice. I should have known him from among a thousand men without going right up to him. Farrell mentioned your name repeatedly in his house, where he said it was " exSergeant llyan" who shot him. I heard him say you came up with the pistol and pub it close to - his face ; and that he turned round and hove his stick at you. When I heard the shots, I did not not see anyone either coming from or going in the direction of them. Of course, when the shots went I looked in that : direction, but I could not see anyone, as it was too dark. I did not notice any thing , unusual about Farrell. I did not notice any sign of drink upon him, and he seemed to talk rationally.—The. police applied for a remand tor eight days, which was granted; His Worship declining, in view of the serious nature of the offence, to admit the accused to bail.