Gunshots Follow Domestic Tumult

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 367, 30 May 1928, Page 7

Gunshots Follow Domestic Tumult

TWO MEN FOR TRIAL NEIGHBOUR EMBROILED (Special to THE SUXj CHRISTCHURCH, Tuesday. As th result of a shooting affray at Otaio on May 11, in which it is alleged that two men broke into a house and threatened to murder the occupants, Bernard Lewis Blackwell and Ernest Gladstone McCunn, were charged in the Magistrate’s Court at Timaru today with breaking and entering with intent to commit a crime. Evidence was given by the police that at 3.15 a.m. on May 11 the accused entered the home of the Ancells. Some argument took place, and accused would not leave. However, they finally left the premises, and young Anccll warned them not to return or he would shoot them. Blackwell returned and young Ancell fired over his head. doing to Barr’s place accused broke about live windows and entered the house and threatened to murder Barr. They were ordered to leave, and as they were still threatening Ancell fired and wounded them. They were taken to the St. Andrew’s police station and subsequently to the Public Hospital. DRINKS AFTER DANCE David Stowell, farmer, of St. Andrews, said that the accused had been employed by him as potato diggers. He had seen them at a clance at St. Andrews on May 11, and they had all had drinks together at the Makikihi Hotel. They were on their way home in witness’ car when Bla.ckwell suggested they should go to Otaio to see Blackwell’s wife. Witness said McCunn went up to the house with Blackwell. Witness next heard three shots fired and sasv McCunn stagger and fall. Then he saw Blackwell some time after on the main road. In company with Constable Hammond witness had taken the accused to the Timaru Hospital. He had heard Blackwell say his wife was living at Otaio, and would not let him .see her. Blackwell also thought that his child, which was living with the Ancells, was not getting proper treatment. Witness was not aware that Blackwell and his wife were not living together. The two men were committed to the Supreme Court for trial, bail being allowed in the amounts of £4OO for McCunn and £I.OOO for Blackwell, both men to report daily to the nolice.