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Summary: Chequered Career Ended (NZ Truth, 9 May 1929)
Charles Evan Mackay, the former mayor of Wanganui, New Zealand, was fatally shot by a Berlin policeman during the May Day Communist riots in Germany, as reported on 9 May 1929. Mackay, a lawyer by profession, had relocated to Europe two years prior and was in Berlin on a special newspaper assignment for a London publication at the time of his death. Mackay's tenure as mayor ended dramatically when he was arrested in 1920 on charges of attempting to murder Walter Darcy Cresswell, a returned soldier. The incident, which took place on May 15, 1920, attracted significant public attention due to its sordid details. Mackay pleaded guilty to the charges and received a sentence of 15 years in prison; however, he was released after serving just over six years. His release was contingent upon his departure from New Zealand, effectively ending his political career. The circumstances surrounding his conviction highlighted a personal conflict with Cresswell, who was determined to expose Mackay, which ultimately led to the attempt on his life. Given the recent event of Mackay's death, the recapitulation of the case’s sordid features was deemed unnecessary. In summary, Mackay's life journey was marked by an early career in public service, a dramatic fall from grace due to criminal charges, and a controversial demise during a tumultuous political event in Europe.
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