Attempted Murder at Devonport.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 162, 24 July 1886, Page 8

Attempted M urd er at Devonport.

If AtTCKLAND, July 20. I Mks Mary Ann Rknwiok detailed the shooting as previously published. She bad known Mrs Lunny about three years. She saw the prisoner put his hand in bis coat and pull out the revolver. She caw the mark of powder on Mrs Lunny's face. Mrs JLuuny stayed at her house four, or five days after ieayiug her busband. During that time Mciiuire did not visit her. -. , By Mr u'Meugher : She advised Mr a Luuuy not to receive the visits of McGuire, ub the caw the impropriety of such conduct. .James Feathers tone, labourer, North deputed: On the night of June 16, he saw tht) prisoner a little before 10.30 o clock down by the Calliope Boarding House. He saw that x.unny haa a revolver in his hand. Witness asked him what -was up. Lunny seemed in great distress, and said. that hia wife bad gone with a fellow named McGuire and had lefc him with five little children. She man eeemed very near mad. with trouble, and way' in a terrible state Wituedß ba'viuK hemd of the shooting cace a few minutes before, tried to. take It from hiui. The prisouer said he had shot ac . bis wife, and he believed that the shot had takou effect. As tney were going up the roud towards the wharf they met a man named James Willan, who asked Lunny for the revolver. Willan chaffed him saying, "that it was no good," as it was not loaded. The prisoner then tired a shot and said, *' That shows it's loaded." Willan got hold of the revolver, when tbe prisoner g<*ve it to him willingly .to let him examine it. Lunny afterwards attempted to get it back, and in the tuatle Willan passed it over the prisoner's bead to witness, who retained possession of the revolver. Upon examining the revolver he found two chambers loaded and four discharged. About two o'clcck in the mcrning witness handed the weapon to Constable Hutchison. Witness identified the cartridges and revolver. Jas. Willan, labourer, residing at Devonport, deposed that on tbe night in question be met tbe prisoner about 9.30 o'clock, and said to him, " Halloa, Lunny ! Where are you off to|!" Lurny replied, "Have you seen that d 1?" Witness asked, " Who?" Lunny replied, ' George McGuire. I just shot my wife, and shot at him, but I believe I missed him." Witness asked, "What did you ghoot him with ?" Lunny pulled out a revolver, and said, " This," A man named Featherstone came up then. Witness said, " That's not loaded." Lunny fired a shot in the air, and said, "Now, isn't it loaded?" Witness asked prisoner to let. bim see the revolver, and after some persuasion he did bo, butmadeafeebleattempttoget it backauain. Witness then passed it over to Feather* stone, who took it away. When Featheratone returned, the two of. them caw the prisoner home, and remained with him until the constable arrived. Was present when the revolver was handed over to to the constable. William Henry Hazard, gunsmith, deposed to selling a revolver similar to the one produced, in the middle of June. They were mostly epld to persons who professed to be going to Kimberley. This concluded tbe casa for the proseccution. .-,.-.,. The evidence haying been read over, Mr O'Meagher elected to reserve his defence. The Bench then committed the prisoner to take his trial at the next sittings of the Supreme Court.