Rongotea Assault Case.

Manawatu Herald, 5 February 1903, Page 2

Rongotea Assault Case.

David Henry Patton surrendered to his recognisances, and traversed an indictment charging him, on three different counts, with having as* •saulted John Hutcheson, with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm, fit Rongotea, on the 27th December, and with having caused actual bodily barm to the same, and with common assault. , Mr Bell prosecuted on behalf or the Crown, and Mr Skerretfc defended. From the evidence it appeared that Patton is brother-in-law to a young girl, in connection w||h whom there is a charge of indecent assault pending against Hutcheson. On the night in question Hutcheson said ha was met by Patton and assaulted by being struck on the head. The medical evidence showed that the complainant had been treated for two incised wounds on the left temple, and that the region around was contused. A neighbour, named Buchanan testified that Hutcheson came to his house on the night mentioned, bleeding profusely. Evidence was given that the accused had made use of threats towards Hutcheson. In the course of cross-examination by Mr Skerrett Patton admitted haying been working with a widow, who is Patton’s mother-in-law. His property ) at the time consisted of a and his swag. The widow bad two single daughters, the'eldest of whom was about eighteen or nineteen years of age. It was in connection with the younger that the charge was made against him. The widow leased bun her farm of 126 acres, on which there were forty head of cattle. He bad no cash at the time. He denied haying gone about Rongotea bragging of bis misconduct. He admitted having spoken about the matter. . Mr Skerrett did not call any witnesses, but, in the course of an appeal to the jury, dwelt upon the absence of corroborative testimony to connect the accused with the assault, and went on to say that even if he had been proved to be guilty, there was nothing in the act which would prevent any man amongst them from taking his hand. ■ His Honor, in summing up, said he was quite sure the jury quite felt with him that this Lothario had received no more than his deserts, but no amount of provocation justified a person in taking the law into their own hands. The jury, after five minutes' deliberation, acquitted the prisoner, and he was discharged. His Honor observed that he was extremely glad the jury had been able to see their way to find the prisoner not guilty. At the same time he warned the prisoner that he would be liable to very serious consequences if he interfered with Hutcheson or indulged in threats of violence such as some of the witnesses had testified * to. The Court then adjourned.-rN.-Z. Times.