ATTEMPT TO MURDER

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 408, 17 December 1932, Page 5

ATTEMPT TO MURDER

(Press. Assn.-

A PATEA CASE "TRIANGLE" MOTIVE IS ADDUCED BY POLICE WOUND WITH SHOT GUN

— By Telegraph — Copyright),

Hawera, Friday. On a charge of having attempted to murder William James Carradus, who was shot in ambush outside his residence at Patea on the night of October 20, ■ Alexander Myles, was i committed for trial at the Wanganui Supreme Court, when he appeared before Justices at Patea to-day. Bail was refused. Carradus, a married man, was wheeled into court in an invalid chair to give evidence. He referred to the alleged attempt by Myles and denials by Mrs. Carradus of relationship between Myles and herself, when the ; Carradus family previously had rooms | at Myles' residence. Witness returned home about 9.30 p.m. on the night of October 19, and fastened the gate with a strap. The next morning he saw that the gate had been propped open with a piece of wood. About 8.30 on the night of October 20, he answered a knock at the door, but as he co.uld see no one he walked in his pyjamas round the side of the house, and was about to enter, when he was fired at from close range, his left leg above the lcnee being badly shattered. He saw a man run away through the gate, but could not recognise liim in the darkness. Rose Pretoria Carradus, wife of the injured man gave evidence as to having heard the shot and hearing her husband call out, "I'm shot." When witness got to the door she saw her husband trying to crawl onto the porch. Witness said that she had been friendly with Myles when all were living in the one house. Counsel: Was there not talk of you and Myles leaving New Zealand together. Witness: Well it was his idea. He wanted me to leave. The police produced a statement in which Myles said he had borrowed a sliotrgun on October 17 to go rabbit shooting. On the night of October 19 he went to the rear of the house where Carradus had rooms, propping the gate open until he wanted to come out. He did not knock, but after a time went away. The next evening he went to the house carrying the shot gun, loaded in both barrels. At first he placed the gun on the ground near the gate, and after knocking at the door he picked up the gun and hid in the bushes. Carradus in walking round ,the house, stopped near Myles' hiding* place. Myles thought that Carradus was looking at him. MyleS had the gun under his arm, and the gun went off. When Carradus fell, Myles run through the gate, which he previously had left propped open. The Court suppressed portion of Myles statement to the police coneerning his associations with Mrs. Carradus.