R. M. COURT, GISBORNE.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 72, 21 February 1884, Page 2

R. M. COURT, GISBORNE.

(Before J. Booth, Esq., R.M.) YESTERDAY. DONALD MURRAY V. ELIRA M. MULLOOLY. The accused was charged on the information of Donald Murray that she did, on the 26th January, threaten the said plaintiff in the words and to the effect following, she having in her hand a gun cocked and capped, which she averred to be loaded, said to complainant, “If anyone touches that horse, I will shoot him,” and on the same occasion she pointed the said gun at one E. Gruner, an assistant of complainants, and said to him (complainant), “ Come one step further, and I will blow your brains out.” Mr. Kenny appeared on the complainant’s behalf. The accused was not represented by counsel. Mr. Kenny opened the case with the following :—This case is one of vast importance to the public generally, the facts of which are these: It appears that the complainant, Murray, went to Ormond with his assistant, Gruner, with a certain writ to Mr. Mullooly, of Ormond. To satisfy the writ he had to obtain a horse. When they got there, the accused produced a gun. which proved to be loaded and capped, and threatened to shoot anyone who touched the horse. She afterwards pointed the gun at Mr. Gruner’s head. Her attitude became so violent and warm that complainant left. Gruner stayed and ultimately got the horse. Now, though the horse was obtained, yet the bailiff required protection. This state of lawlessness could not be tolerated, and if no steps were taken now the same things would occur again. In this case the threat to murder was twice repeated. He submitted that accused should be ordered to find sureties to keep the peace, and that those securities be substantial. D. Murray, Bailiff of the Court, gave evidence that he proceeded to Mullooly’s to get the horse to satisfy the writ he held, Accused, when she found out their business, produced a gun from the house, and threatened to take their lives if they touched the horse. He told her to take the gun inside, to which she replied “ Will I; don’t you think the gun is not loaded. She thereupon put the ramrod down the gun, and it protruded out of the muzzle some three or four inches. He then left her with Gruner to go and get the horse. She was excited, and he believed if he had used any violence she would have shot him. Mr. E. Gruner gave evidence, corroborating the former’s statement, adding that while Mui ray was away she deliberately pointed the gun at his head, and placed her finger on the trigger. Two other witnesses gave evidence, which was of an unimportant nature. The accused stated that she did not use the words, “If anyone touched the horse she would shoot them,” nor did she point the gun at Gruner. His Worship said he considered the charge fully proved, and after lecturing accused on the way she had behaved, he bound her over to keep the peace for the space of six months in substantial bail, to be in two sureties of £2O each, and costs £1 Ils.