THE LATE STABBING CASE.

Dunstan Times, Issue 805, 21 September 1877, Page 3

THE LATE STABBING CASE.

At the City Police Court, Dunedin, before I. N. Watt, Esq., R.M., Stewart Newton, a small boy, was brought up, on remand, charged with having, on the 13th instant, stabbed Valentine Moreton with a pocket-knife. Mr Dick appeared for the accused.. Dr Tighe gave evidence as to the wounds inflicted upon Moreton. There was one in the left thigh and one in the side. Had the wonnd in tbs side been a little deeper, it would have proved fatal. The wounds had apparently been committed with a knife. The length of the wound was about from one and a half to two inches wide, Moreton Valentine’s evidence was similar to the statement we published at the time of the affray. The two boys, who were working at Sparrow’s foundry, had a quarrel, and Newton stabbed Horetou in the side and left log. Henry Martin, a little boy 13 years of age, deposed that ho worked at Sparrow’s foundry. 'On the'morning of the 13th prisoner wss cutting a pice of wood with the knife produced. Witness asked him where he got the kmfe, and accused said he got it from a fellow, iad if Moreton hit him in the morning ho would “ let him have it.” John Jenkins, boilermaker at Messrs Sparrow’s foundry, remembered the morning of the 13th, and saw the quarrel between Newton'and Moreton. Heard Moreton say he was stabbed, and tried to take the knife from Newton. In doing so he got his hand cut. Hannigan took the knife away. Francis Hannigaiq boilermaker at Sparrow’s foundry, deposed to having seen the two boys quarrelling, and took a knife [produced] from Newton. The knife was id the boy’s hand, grasped dagger like. This was the case for the prosecution. •: Mr Dick held that the whole thing was an acdiSeut, as it was impossible for accused to have opened the knife while wrestling with the other boy. Ho urged upon his Worship to treat the case summarily, or leave the accused to be dealt with by his parents. Mr Watt replied that ho could not so deal with the case, bnt must send it to a Jury, He could not look npon’it as an accident.