THE OHUTU SENSATION.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9469, 11 June 1909, Page 4

THE OHUTU SENSATION.

At the'Supreme Court, Wanganui, yesterday, before Mr Justice Chapman, Frederick Robert Garlick was charged with having on the 32nd of February, 1909. attempted to murder one Amos Ohatfield, The case for the prosecution was that Ohatfield and Garlick went to Talhapa from Ohctu and had some drink and left in a fairly sober condition. On the way home Garlick threw Ohatfield over a cliff and then proceeded to Ohatfieid’s house and attempted to out his throat. An assistant, Oliver, 'tried to disarm him, and Mrs Ohatfield and family nought shelter at a neighbouring factory and were taking a cart there when accused jumped on the cart and drove away to his own residence. There he evidently went in and got his gun and some cartridges. H© drove back to Ohatfieid’s house and soon after a light was seen m the house. Then accused came back to the factory and called oot for Oliver. Accused then had his right arm in a sling. Oliver and Mrs Ohatfield, refusing to go with accused to the scene, accused said “Well I’m go* ing, ” but just then the gun went off and adcused was wounded in the right shoulder. When in hospital Garlick wrote to Ohatfield saying he was too drbnk to know what he was doing, bat bis actions seemed to show that he was sober enough to understand the serious character of his offence Amos Ohatfield gave evidence that he and Garlick had been on very friendly terms. They had four beers in Taihape and two drinks of whisky on the way home. Both men got off their horses" for the last drink and he remembered nothing afterwards till he found himself on the toad after he had been pulled up the bank. He had no recollection of a quarrel. Mrs Ohatfield gave evidence as to Garlick’s behavour when he came to the house; and John Campbell, factory manager at Ohntu, narrated what happened after Mrs Ohatfield, Qarliok and - Oliver came over to the factory. Evidence was being taken when the Court adjourned.