COMMITTED FOR TRIAL

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 352, 5 February 1937, Page 6

COMMITTED FOR TRIAL

WILLIAM JOSEPH FOX. Attempted Murder Charge Preferred. Evidence for the Crown against William Joseph Fox, charged with the attempted Murder of Detective. Patrick Kearney and with discharging a loaded 'firearm at the- detective, with intent to resist lawful apprehension, was concluded in the New Plymouth Court yesterday. Fox, who pleaded not guilty, reserved his defence and was committed to the Supreme Court sessions this month for trial. Evidence of tlie sensational events described by the Crown Prosecutor Mr. R. H, Quilliam, and reported in yesterday’s, issue, was given fay, Detective Kearney, Constable Johnson, and Messrs'. R. Macßae, and T. H. Waters, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

Detective Kearney said that following the discharging of the- rifle Fox continued, to read the sheaf of papers’, given him by Kearney and then called Johnson up saying: “I am master of the situation/ you know that, don’t you?” The constable said ho did. Fox said he had had no sleep the previous- night, nothing to eat that day, sheep in the paddock to be attended to, souie valuable dogs to look after and he wanted to let. the authorities know he would not be taken from the farm alive until arrangements were made for his stock and also his.', wife and. children to be looked after.

Another speech of Fox’s at an earlier stage was recounted by Constable Johnson.

Fox said “I am desperate, you will not take me alive until you have communicated with my boss. Why don't you treat me like a man and see- him before coming here Jake 10 paces to the left and stay tflere!” Witness took the paces-. He had no arms and could see it was useless from the demeanour of Fox not to obey him. Macßae in his; evidence said that, when he and McAloon drew up at the farm gate Fox was seen standing on the- bank a very wild, or, mad, man. When the two men entered the gate Fox seemed to be nearly off his hedfl. “He did riot know me, I am quite sure about that.”

A dramatic story of his' successful effort to bring Fox to reason was toul by Waters.

“From 5 o'clock until 10 o’clock I advanced every reason I could think of why he- should give up his gun to me but 1 could not make the man ree sense,” he said. “Mr. Ward likewise argued with him without suecessy At about 9.30 p.m. Waters received a telephone call from Detective Kearney to know it witness had secured the. rifle. Waters' told ffie officer that he had not been successful. Fox appeared to reach a state of exhaustion about 10 p.m. and he had two or three attacks of sickness. Between 10 and 11 o'clock Fox passed the gun to Waters saying “You had better take this.”

Between 3 and 4 in the morning Fox, in witness’ opinion, had reached a stage when he was prepared to listen to Waters. He was prepared to discuss' ways and mean of bringing his ■wife- and children out and at about 7 o’clock witness managed to discuss his coming to New Plymouth. Fox finally agreed when Waters' promised to make arrangements- for his wife and children, the care of his dogs and the supervision of his farm. Fox later gave himself up at the New Plymouth police station.