BOUND AND SHOT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2711, 15 January 1910, Page 2 (Supplement)

BOUND AND SHOT.

ASSAILANT KEEPS POLICE AT BAY WITH REVOLVER.

An extraordinary shooting affair occurred at NcAvton Abbot recently. Albert Stevens, a mason, is said to have shot William Selhvood, a horse dealer. When the police went- to arrest him, he kept them; at bay Avith a revolver for tA\’o hours

It appears that Stevens did not go to work in the morning, and it is said that he saw' Selhvood in the town, and induced him to go to his home. No sooner had Selhvood got inside the door than Stevens caught hold of him, forced him into a chair, and tied him Avith a rope. Pointing a revolver at him Stevens made Selhvood sign a confession. Then, leaving him in tho chair, StcA'cns, it is alleged, locked his wife in the front room and Avent to fetch the father-in-law of Selhvood. Whilst he was away Mrs. SteA'ens got out of the room, and Avith her three children took refuge in a neighbor’s house. Stevens meanwhile found Sellwood’s father-in-law, Mr. Badcock, and asked him if lie Avould come to tho house. Mr. Badcock promised to do so, but first went to Sergeant Newberry who then accompanied him. As soon as Stevens saAV the constable he threatened to shoot him if he advanced a step. Just before this, it is alleged, he entered tile kitchen and shot Mr. Sellwood.

Then, pistol in hand, and smoking a cigarette, Stevens defied anyone to go near. It was a market day in the town, and news of what Avas happening sood spread. The sight of the police hurrying, as though in obedience to an urgent summons, stirred the croAvd, and soon Stevens’ house Aras surrounded by hundreds of people. Stevens, avlio is about 27 years'' old, Avas frequently seen at a back Avind-oAV, and on one occasion pointed his revolver at the croAvd which lined the road by the mill leat, at the bottom of the garden. The croAvd stampeded, and tAA'o farmers fell into the leat. Tho police tried to get SteA’ens to surrender, and a firehose and Ladders Avere procured for use in case of necessity. But for two hours Stevens defied all attempts at capture. At- last his mother and other relatives arrived, and, under their persuasions, he at last consented to surrender. He Avas taken into custody, and in the kitchen Mr. Selhvood, Aviio is proprietor of the King’s Mcavs, Avas found bound in the chair, Avith a bullet in bis skull near the temple. Blood Avas floAving freely, but he Avas conscious, and walked to his office before going to a hospital. There an operation Avas performed, and the bullet Avas discovered. In the afternoon Stevens was brought before the magistrates on a charge of attempting to murder Selhvood.