CONSTITUTION
COURT SENSATION: HILL OUTRAGE
THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH. THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 1936.
'MCMAHON TELLS HIS
STORY
"The King Approached, I Threw The Gun"
Wrote To Wife And Then Decided To Make 'Last Gesture'
FOR TRIAL ON ALL CHARGES
London, Aug. 3.
GEORGE ANDREW MCMAHON told in the witness-
box at Bow-street yesterday how he stood on Con-
stitution Hill on July 16 as the King passed by with the
band playing and the people cheering.
"I saw all the people happy and content, and then I remembered
that I had barely the price of a meal," he said.
fre
The Three Charges
HERE are three charges against McMalions. They
Being in unlawful
pas- scanion of revolver with Intent to endanger He and
property;
a
Presenting nçar to the per- son of his Majesty a revolver with intent to break the pubilo peace; and
Producing a revolver near the person of the King will intent to alarm him.
The first charge has been brought under the Firearms Act, 1920, and the second and third come under Section 2 of the Treason Act, 1842,
The Attorney-General has .made it clear that the section of the Treason Aet under which two of the charges are brought has nothing to do with high treason, but "creates a certain statutory misdemeanour."
"Torture Of The Damned” In Letter To The King
"Yes," McMahon replied. "May 1 give an explanation."
“Within. 14 Hours"
The Attorney-General: You will have every elice of explaining.
"within Those words
fourteen hours" are written in capital letters, and underlined twice.
At this point McMahon was hand- ed the original of the letter he wrote to Sir John Simon. He looked at and then sald, "A lot of it is underlined." "Those twice,"
"I
words “re underlined said the Attorney-General. am suggesting to you that when you wrote those words within four- teen hours in capital letters and ♦♦ underlined them you were thinking of something that might be gol
going to happen the following morning?"
"Yes, I was," McMahon replied, Were you thinking of something that might be going to happen at the review of the Guards?—No. "I slooped down, and I waited for
When I
I mentioned "within fourteen a few moments, and when the King hours," I intended to call at Sir John was approaching 1. threw the gun.
Simon's private house. In fact, "Then a constable whom I now started on my way to his house. I "Since 'child'I have never had know to be Police Officer Mayne, intended to walt until he left to chance, and when a ray of happinesscott me by the arm. was beginning to filumine my life it "Police Constable Griffiths took was going to approach him person-
on his way to the Home Offer. was extinguished through the horsh
my ather arm and
Was forced ally. through the crowd whitch had Kathered. action of your Majesty's officers.
Mr. Kersten then read the peti-i
passages: ---
"I thought what was the good of living, and so I was going to ilon, which included the following
a .oot myself."
McMahon sobbed as he continued: "I left the crowd. When If I could only 1.was walking away a thought suddenly struck me. draw the King's attention to the wrongs which I imagined had been mieted out to me, at least he would not allow his subjects to be so treated.
2.
Just as the band was passing and I saw his Majesty emerge from beneath the arch, I put my hand in my pocket and took out the gun.
“I stooped down and I waited for a few moments, and when the King: was approaching I threw the gun,"
it
Jour-sign some foolscap paper, und after McMahon, deyeribed as nalist, nged thirty-four, of West-a handshake was told that the mat- bourne-terrace,
Park, was ter and ended, committed toy
Okl the Balley.
Hyde trial
ot
McMahon said that he came to London about six or seven years ago, work. He re- engaged in social relved certain information, and told Scotland-yard.
Mr. A. Kerstein (his coudset What was the result as far as your work was concerned was dia
missed from the position of secre- tary which & held in a sports efub in Notting Hill Gate.
Conviction Quashed
What action was weaken by the pollee?—I was arrested on a charge of criminal bel. I was tried at the Old Bailey and sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment.
He appealed und was quashed.
the conviction
He had been in prison about three
half months.
and
Π
Mr. Kerstein: Did you make any rifort to get work when you came nut of prison-Yes, I did.
Did you get any work?-No, the publicity given to my trial prevent- my getting any employment,
"I struggled," ran the petition, in which McMahon described bow. after working for a charitable or- ganisation addressing envelopes ut fs, a day and working from 7 nan. to 9 p.), he saved a few pounds, and started a small advertising busi-
ness,
Soun, he said, he was finding work for some 250 men.
furtung was
I was succeeding, but, alum, just Eight days later I was dismissed when
beginning to from my employment as secretary smile on me again I was confronted
unjust inprison- ! by the manager, who advised the as with my past a friend to leave London at once for ment. a time as he had been advised by
weakness I gave way to "In my drink, and to-day I am experiencing an explanation of the tortures of a damned soul. "1dersantted the police to dismiss such conduct and at ance called "In my agony of mind. appeal in
hallowed upon the chief constable, to whom the
Majesty's father related what had transpired.
me.
Some time later 1 was arrested and charged with writing a libel against the two detective sergeants in the form of the two letters I hnd written to the chief Constable.
memory of your
Plea For Work
"Speciul Constable Dick then come and grasped me and I was led away.
After the cross-examination Mr. Kerstein addressed the magistrate, saying, "I am not calling any other witnesses in this court."
He referred to the evidence of the
As I was going from Wellington Arch, a young man stood in front prosecution's witnesses last week, with his camers facing towards me, and said want the witness neck and I bent my head and when that no looked again, his cumern was going through the air."
one saw McMahon either point 2 revolver ar make any attempt upon any one's life, but that Mr. Kerstein asked: "At the spot on the contrary he had every oppor- where you say you threw the re-tunity of doing so without inter- volver, how thick was the crowd?" ruption or interference.
MeMahon replied that he was the front of the fine.
"I submit that the fact that he did not make use of that opportunity is overwhelming evidence that, he had such intention," Kariri Mr. Kerstein.
no
McMahon denied he Maki 10
constable mounted
"Move your damned horse away."
Mr. Kerstein: When you drew the revolver from your pocket, by which part did you hold it?-By the barrel You heard it said last week that
revolver had been raised?-i prev That is not so.
"Judge By Acts"
"After all, it is only by his nets that you can judge what his inten- tion was that morning, whatever might have been his intention on the previous day or at any other time, and in that connection you will re- Did you ever point it at any she? member that he says that he never Definitely not.
intended or desired to horm the King, or any one else--and there is no evidence that he did."
"If the Home Office emmot grunt | the me some recompense for my unjust "I was detained in custody, refus-
imprisonment, they can perhaps, al et ball, and after three appearances least, give me soine work, even at in Bow-street Court 1, through ave shillings a day." solicitor.
One allowed bal. halter was told by certain police McMahon said he had never seat
stand ball. After officers not 10
n communication to King George or the present King, or the Home Office that was threatening in tone.
was
Did you, in tact, throw your res Volver In the direction of some weeks in custody I obtained
Majesty's horse?-No, it was very batt in
much far ahead of his Majesty, £300 and after numerous appearances at the Old Balley was
Mr. Kerstein produced a revolver.)
It has been suggested that the re- tried.
Is that true? "My trial was E slur
and McMahon agreed that he had volver hit the horse. Bu your As Lords obtained it, but he had never dred-No, it is not, because I saw it Majesty's court of justice.
lying on the ground some time be. Hewart, Humphreys and Horridge H., or any other revolver.
fore his Majesty passed.. later said, 'my trial was an impra- per one.'
Describing the events of July 16, MeMuhon said he left home about 7.45 n.m.
was hampered in my defence: One inspector even said that I had Did you communicate with the never been a social work local-of-
Mr. Kerstein: Did you have your Home Office? Yes, I did.
nor had been a church misslun į révutver In your pocket?--Yes. it cur, no For what purpose-To see
and other harsh and unjust student,
How was it loaded when you left was given twelve home?-As usual, they would give me sonic compen impotations. sation for what I thought was months' hard labour. unjust imprisonment,
s
Did you not think that the re-n volvar might be discharged as it fell to the ground?-No; that is why I stilhered it..
Did you not think that the inci- dent might have alaTRÍ his
it en- Majesty?-No, because was too
far to front to do so.
Did you communicate Or "After many weeks' striet
imdeavour to communicate with Sir Did you receive that compera-prisonment and torture I was con- Jolm Simon that morning!-I did. tion? No, sir.
Did you intend to ulirm his veyed to the Appeal Court hand- At About what time" -A fow In August 1934 did you send a cuffed, and lodged in a wooden minutes past ninc.
Alajesty? No, I certainly did not piltion to his late Majesty King cubicle, where I remained sitting as Where did you telephone from?—I was seeking his intervention on my George V.7-Yes, I did.
it was barely three by four feet in A public telephone kiosk in Kings- bebnif. A typewritten document of three space, from 8.43 a.m. until 5.30 pm. way. pages was handed to McMahon, who and was then conveyed back to said that the signature upon it was prison. his.
Mr. Kersten said that he was not McMahon going to submit that should not be 'committed for trial in respect of the charges under the Treason Act. He apprecinted that there was some evidence on which a Jury ought to be called to say whe- ther in their opinion he had intend- ed to alarm the King or to cause
breach of the pence.
He (Mr. Kerstein) was only con- cerned with the evidence under the Firearms Act, A point which the magistrate must have had in mind was: Why was this man in posses- sion of a fonded revolver nt all in Hyde Park?
"For obvious reasons," Mr. Ker- stein went on "it has been impossi- ble for me to say very much about the revolver. It must be clear that
As far as you can tell was any lion that the prisoner had obtained It was not suggested by the prosecu- To where? To his private resi- breach of the peace caused by your that revolver and carried it about denec.
act? No, because no one was aware with him for some months with any A week Inter I'was again con To whom did. you speak?-1 ulti-what had happened untti the police unlawful intention. Mr. Kersiein: Is that the petitionveyed to the Appeal Court at about mately got in touch with his private had me.
14, 19347-It is.
ing wait of many hours was ordered Mr. Kerstein then read the peli- by your Majesty's Lords of Appeal tlon, which was addressed from 135, 15 be released at once.. Westbourne-terrace,
you sent to King George on August the same time and after an agonis-seut did you do then asked!
Londen, W.2.
and dated August, 14, 1034.
Accused Police
I read as follows:
"Ruined"
him.
"Mr. Kenstein: It does not matter what you said, I want you to tell us what you did after the telephone coll was Anished,
"1 was now free, but my suffering! nd just started. was ruined "Lost Control" |physleally and financially, had to "HM. King George Die Filth, leave my home and through the McMahon: I did not really know Bucklogham Palace-May it please tremendous publicity given my Irial what to do. Finally I got on a bus,; your Majesty. As a loyal subject towns the cynosure of all eyes.
I then remembered 1 had an ap- your Majesty I crave your kind con- "I was not eligible for unemploy-pointinent with Captain Faulkner. I descension to this appeal for jus-ment money, and was refused the called for him at his house.
salary due me from my last employ- He went with Captain Faulkner a young man, married and ment.
to Hyde Parks. disabled.
The Prisoners Aid Society and I have at all times en-
Later he left the captain ond went deavoured to assist in my humble į other such organisations could not to Hyde Park Corner. way my fellow-citizens and have nssist me as I was not u prisoner, yet "Some of the soldiers were march- suffered not a little personal Incon- I endured almost three months' ing back with the Colours-which had strict imprisonment just because I been presented by the King. People thought I was doing my duty as one were cheering and very happy," ef your Majesty's subjects. Hence, sald McMahon. your Majesty, this appeal,
"Suddenly that brought me back
venience in this direction,
West
"He hud that revolver for a per-
McMahon wis then cross-exam-fectly legitimate purpose, and he had ined by Sir Donald Somervell, the no other purpose in mind when he Attorney-General, about the letter he wrote to Sir John Simon the went to Hyde Park on that day." night before the revolver incident. Mr. Kerstein said that he hoped the Crown would not ask for a com- The Attorney-General: Did you mittat in connection with the fire- post the letter before you went to
orms charge. the pictures, or afterwards?---On my way home, I dropped it in a letter- box.
It might have been a foolish act that McMahon had committed, but, disclosed by the evidence. at any rate, it was not criminal as
"You will agree that it is fourteen hours from between 3 and in the evening. to between 10 und 11 the Sir Rollo Graham-Campbell said following morning." suid the At- that he thought there was evidence torney-General.
for committal on. all charges.
PERFECT CRIME:
LIFE STORY OF
"I have done much valuable social work in Ireland and England, and was the only social worker who was ever the recipient of a presentation "1 have petitioned the Home to a realisation of my own clrcum- from
"down and outs' for whom Office on numerous occasions for stances. I left the park and went to laboured, on my leaving to labour in compensation for wrongful impri-a public house. I had a drink there another
samment, but with no result. sphere.
und I was intending to go home. "I had a small business in
"Many well-known solicitors have Then I heard a band of street musl- London, and here. I continued my told me that I am entitled to some clans playing. labours for my less fortunate fel-recompense for what I have suffer- "After a time I went back to lows. Through such fabours I wased, and they would take up my case, Hyde Park Corner. I went from
nade the confidant of many trou- but I am without means.
there right over to Constitution bles, and endeavoured to see ' thal "I have applied to the Poor Per-Hill.
EXCEPT for the sentences, which were postponed the justice was meled to all.
"While I was there 1 seemed to "Perfect Crime" case has come to an end at the Old. sons' Law Society, but was told that| "In consequence of what I was dis my action would be against the lose all control of myself. told I wrote in 1832 two letters to Covernment
"I wrote a message to my wife, Bailey. and I sold to myself, “At least when
the Chief Constable. New Scotland-sidered,
yard, in which letters 1 set out in full detall certain conduct of two detective-sergeants of the West Lon-
don Division, and 'begged the chlef constable to investigate same.
Anonymous
could not be con
Publicity Shunned
Lioned in Parliament us I have
the ease comes out of my commit-
RECEIVER
Sidney Harris (38), a window-cleaner, of King's Avenue, Clap- ting suleide it will save other people ham, was found guilty of conspiring to steal £4,666 from the from the suffering I bave endured.'
"Then i saw a picture of how dis-Stepney-Borough Council and of receiving.
"I do not wish my case to be mentracted my wife would be. I seemed Percy Collingwood (66), an engineer, also of King's Avenue, suffered enough through publicity. to cast the thought aside. I said, Clapham, was found guilty of receiving, but not guilty of conspiracy.
"I therefore appeal to
No, why kill myself. I will make a your! Majesty in person for a full inquiry last gesture,
"I omitted to sign my name, but into the disgraceful treatment of one stated that if I was required I would of your subjects by your Majesty's || be traced by an advertisement in a Home Office, stated newspaper.
Courted Arrest.
Sidney Salond (22), who had been employed by the Courell as a Junior elerk, pleaded guilty.
. "PIONEER OF RHODESIA"
"Respectfully your Majesty's McMahon, speaking in broken unsolved for two years." "In March of the following year humble subject."
with any success? McMahon: No, slr.
ployment (having in the meantime meet sold my business) by two police offli cers, one of whom being the detec tive sergeant I had mentioned in my letters to the chief constable.
"I was told to call at the police station, which I and there saw
tones and in a voice, scarcely
It had been called the "perfect crime" because the theft had remained
Twas visited nimy place of em- Mr. Kerstein: Did that petition nudible, went on: "I intended to called himself a pioneer of Rhodesia. He was sentenced to five years' hard Chief Inspector Barker said Collingwood, who was born in Ireland, bring my paper to his Majesty's labour, in South Africa in 1806 for robbery, and in 1907, at Pretoria, to 12 notice, knowing that I would be Have you sent other petitions and arrested, and the King would do a hird inbour for culpable homicido, housebreaking and theft. appeals? Yes.
something to demand an explana- In that case he drugged a native watchminn, who afterwards died as the Did you in February this year tion.
result of the drugging. send a petition to the King? Yes. "I then remembered about what I
McMahon said that this petition had written upon the paper was in his own handwriting, and "Just as the band was passing,“ "After a lengthy Interview, during signed by him. It Was sent, on I saw his Majesty emerge from be- which I was requested to withdraw February 12 of this year from the neath the arch, I put my hand in my my allegations, I was induced to address. in Westbourne-terract, pocket and took out the gun,"
four officers.
did,
The Inspector said he had no doubt that the inception of the Couricil robbery arose in Collingwood's mind. Salond and Harris, he added, were men hilberto of good character and had no previous convictions."
Salond promised, through his counsel, that the money he had would be returned to the Council.
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