The Herald of Wales. — 1890-04-12 (Swansea, West Glamorgan, Wales)

THE ALLEGED ATTEMPTED SUICIDE AT SWANSEA.—SHERRA'T ON HIS TRIAL.  Morin Sherrat, commercial traveller, wee charged that he unlawfully did shoot a certain revolver then loaded with five cartridges at cud against himself with intent feloniously, wilfully, and of his malice aforethought to kill and murder himself at Swanssa.—Mr. Walter Jones prosecuted, and Mr. Benson defended the prisoner. . .  1 The first witness called WSA Edith Annie Howell, who said she lived with her father at rthe Gore Home Hotel. About ten o'cloak on the morning of the 7th February Mr. Sherrat oame to the bar of the Gore Heine, and, after passing the time of day, was served with la glass of brandy. Ile drank it, and was about to leave when he offered her his left hand. She said, "Why your left hand." He made no reply, but raised his right hand se If to lift his hat, and she then saw a hub and heard a report. She wentamed and rushed to the door, and when ahe returned she found him lying on the sent with a policeman and her father attending him. She looked at him and he said, " It will be all right in a nunute." She had knows Mr. Merritt four or five years. Crowe-examined by Mr. Benson r Sherrat had ,on his hat when ehe talked to him in the bee, and when be raised it she thought it was to take off his hat.. Mary Ann Dayton, a barmaid at the Gore House, proved hearing the report of a revolver. Mr. David Davies said he was the landlord of the Gore HOMO Hotel and a teen councillor of Swansea. About ten o'clock on the maiming of February, he wee in the smoke-room of his house, when he heard he report of • revolver. He rushed into the rind found Sterna in a sitting position on the finer. He said: "Good God, what have you done ?" and prisoner reppoi, "Let me ahem,. and ask no questions.' He called • policemen from over the row', and he aseinted to carry Sheeran to tin station. In the station Sherratt seld "it was quite an accident." Creemexarained When he found the prisoner often z on the floor of the bar the revolver was lying by his right hand, quite ivitirin his reach. All the chambers but one were loaded. P.C. Mules deposed to seeing prisoner in the police station, and to receiving a box of cartridges from him. Crows-examined Ile had not searched hi, house, and he did not know that he had otter resolvers at home. He said at the hospital that he had a gun license, and that he had bought the revolver for • friend. Dr. Horatio Rawlings said he was howlssaxgeon at the hoepital. Be remembered Sherrat being brought to the hospital, suffering from a bullet wound an inch to the right of the ear and two-and-a-half above it. He probed it and extracted the bullet. Cross-examined: It was quite possible that the wound might have been clamed by an accident. The bullet had travelled but a few inches and had taken sta upward mart&  Messrs. B. Evens' 1.01 of the re:dearer siati frOisid Creltirtraltes!. IS for friend. By the (nista:eau When he left the shop thr:e trcre no cartridges in the pißtot. rcat being the oats for gin prosecution, Mr. •'Demon addressed the ins 7 for the defence. He contended that not a mingle fact had been brought before them that would warrant them coming to the conclusion that Sheratt—a man in the ihey-day of youth, with an excellent character from hie employers, in no monetary difficulties,—without [any motive whatever should have attempted to commit a crime. If he had intended it he could easily have done an. Mr. Charles Emmett, Fither-street, was called, and said he had known Sherrat for 14 years, and he knew him to be a quiet, cheerful, and inoffensive youth. : Mr. Frederick Smith, local superintendent of the London and North Western Railway, and Mr. Probert, chief clerk to the superintendent, gave limner evidence. Detective Sergeant Morris had known Shama* since 1882, and had opportunities for learning his character, which was exceptionally good. After a few minutes' consideration, the jitry found the prisoner "not guilty "—a decision whichlerse received with much applause in court.  Norge Podger, a lad of about 17 years f age, was charged with maliciously wounding Dennis O'Brien at Ystradfodwg, on Much 23. Mr. E. B. Rowlands (son of hEr. Bowen Rowlands, Q.C., M.P.) prosecuted. Prisoner milled prosecutor's wife a bad name, and prosecutor then want to tlunah him. Whilst he was abtempting itj Podger seized a poker end struck him on the besd with it. After further ecidence had been called, the Chairman having so egggaited, the jury reduced the charge to one of common asaault. And the prisoner woe sentenced to one month's hard labour. The Court then adjourned for luncheon.  ALLEfirD 14E11PS OF •