REVOLVER SHOT

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20987, 14 December 1939, Page 14

REVOLVER SHOT

SEAMAN FOR TRIAL ATTEMPTED MURDER CHARGE STORY TOLD IN COURT (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Wednesday Alleged to have fired a revolver at Stanley Meredith Hunt on November 25, Charles Theodore Nelson, aged 51, a Norwegian seaman, appeared before Mr J. L. Stout, S.M., on a charge of attempted murder. He pleaded not guilty and was committed for trial in February. On a further charge of being in possession of an unregistered firearm he was remanded. Hunt said he lived at the Salvation Army Hostel, Vivian Street. His sister had a house in Jessie Street, which he frequently visited in evenings and week-ends. His sister let rooms, and he met some of the tenants, among them on several occasions, Nelson. On November 25 he was there in the afternoon listening, to racing results. Nelson came in and began talking. Witness told him he wanted to listen to the races. Accused said, “You don’t want to talk to me,” and witness, “I don’t want to be bothered with you.” Nelson rose, saying “you big—.” He repeated the words and left the room tc go upstairs. He returned a couple of minutes later and reseated himself on couch. He asked, “How are you?” Witness said, “Don’t ask questions.” Revolver Fired “Nelson said,” you r /: i are a bit of a wrest r.' .._-ss said, “Yes, I have done a bit g- wrestling,” to which Nelson replied, “you think you have got it on me; I’ve—well got it on you.” Witness turned the radio on loudly. Nelson said, “Turn that—thing off,” rose from the sofa, put his back to the wall and used offensive terms. Pulling out a revolver, he said, “now this a blank cartridge; I am going to shoot you.” He moved the hammer and then said: “This is a iive cartridge. You dirty big—, I am go - ing to blow your—brains out.” He rushed up to within a yard and fired. Witness ducked his head and the bullet whizzed past, right through the wall. Nelson walked to the wall and was fumbling about, when witness told him to put the gun away. A few seconds later he walked past Nelson out of the room. To Detective-Sergeant Murray, witness said accused was drunk, but seemed to know what he was doing. Communist Sympathies Mr Hardie R' Boys, cross-examin-ing, said: “I put it to you that you accused Nelson of being a boss’s man and said you were a Communist. Witness: No. Have you Communist sympathies? —Yes, I was interested in the development of the Soviet Union. Has Nelson joined issue with you on that topic?—No. Witness denied threatening Nelson. He said he had known him about eight months. He was a harmless type when sober, and had lent his sister and her husband money when they were in need of it. The police evidence was that accused was taken to Mt. Cook police station and searched. In one pocket were 36 cartridges and an empty shell. When the revolver was taken Ne.son had said, “I was just on my way to dump that.” He admitted having a shot at Hunt, and said that if his eyesight had not been so bad he would have got him. It had been stated that accused was under treatment for his eyes. A firearms’ experts included in his evidence a statement that the revolver was of a .32 calibre. Bail was refused.