Charge of Attempted Murder.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7895, 10 August 1905, Page 2

Charge of Attempted Murder.

Mib Shoots His Employer. Because Reprimanded. (Per Press Association.) DUWEDIN, Aug. 9. At the Police Court to-day Allan Garth Macgregor appeared on remand on a charge of attempting to commit murder by shooting William Ernest Sargood. Mr J. P. M.lFrascr, Crown Prosecutor, conducted the prosecution, and Mr W. C. Macgregor for accused, who appeared to be in a depressed condition. Mr Fraser, having outlined the nature of the evidence, Dr. Stanley liatchelor, who attended Mr Sargood, gave evidence that the wound was in a dangerous place, but fortunately dangerous injury was not 'done.

William Ernest Sargood, in Iris evidence, said -the accused had been in the mm's employ about two and abaii years, and was well paid. On July 27, witness found Macgregor locked in his room, and certainly under the influence of liquor. Witness told him to leave at once, aind sec Itim when in a fit condition in the morning. Accused asked what was to be gained, and that night came to witness' house, and persisted in seeing him, though told he was engaged and going out soon. As soon as ha entered the dining-rooin Macgregor shot him.

Cross-examined, witness said accused told him he was a broken-hearted man and that he was deeply depressed. He said he would not be alive on Sunday, morning. Witness tried to get this morbid idea out of his mind. David Alexander Ewen, brother-in-law of W. E. Sargood, who was dining with the latter on the night of the occurrence, said he heard a shot about fifteen seconds after Sargood Ictt the dining-room. He jumped up, with his lorother, and on going to the drawing-room bad some difficulty in opening the door, as someone appeared to be holding it on the other side. On opening it they saw Macgregor with a revolver dn his hand, Witness grasped one hand and his brother seized the other. Accused said, '■'■ Yes, I've done it." Accused asked to be released, and tried to sot his arms free, but they, threw him down, and the gardener coming, witness and uis Mrother took the revolver from Macgregor. Witness then went to see Sargood, and, returning to accused, asked him if he had any accomplices! He said "No."-

J. Ewen gave corroborative evidence Witness asked accused if he had killad Saigpcd, and he replied : "I hope so." Witness asked liini the meaning of it, and accused said Sargood had insulted him in the afternoon in a way lie could never' forget. Mr Sargood's gardener, Ernest Kayc, stated that Maogregor had expressed the wish that he had shot his own child before shooting Sargood.

After further evidence counsel for accused said he did not propose to Address the Court, but referred to the fact that Dr. Church, when sent tq the gaol to see accused, was , not allowed to do so. He supposed the authorities acted by rule, but if so the rule Was a wrong one. Accused reserved his defence, and ISLST 1 - (or trial - WI 'being