DISTRICT COURT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 272, 7 March 1877, Page 2

DISTRICT COURT.

THIS DAY. (Before bis Honor Judge Ward.)

ATTEMPTED SUICIDE

Robert Whitmeyer was placed in the dock, charged with having on the 12th February, at Weston, attempted to commit suicide.

The Jury was chosen as below : —John Burgess, William Maitland, John Locke, Andrew Simpson, Thomas M'Kenzie, Walter Newton, James Paterson, Henry Kite, James Scott, James Herroll, Thus. Duncan, Robert Ferguson. John Locke was chosen foreman.

James Ogilvie was fined 405., unless cause be shown for his non-appearance.

On the charge being read over the prisoner pleaded not guilty. Mr. White appeared for the Crown. Prisoner was undefended.

The Crown Prosecutor then opened the case with a description of the circumstances, and called George Brown, who deposed : I am landlord of the Weston Hotel, at Weston. I know the prisoner. He came to my place on the 9th February, and remained till the 12th. At about 10 o'clock on the night of the 12th prisoner left the bar, and went outside on the verandah. About live minutes afterwards, as I was closing the honsa, I saw the prisoner on the verandah with a strap, one end of which was around his neck and the other end tied to the ring of the verandah post. He was struggling against the strap. I caught him and held him up. Ho was gasping. I think he was sensible at the time. °I then called out for assistance, and George Taylor came out from the bar. He (Taylor) cut the strap. (Strap produced). I asked prisoner what he did it for, and he said, " I'm t'red of my life." He also said, " My life is a misery to me. I have been looking for work, and cannot </et any." He then went into the hotel, and the next I saw of him was in the stable, with a halter in his hand. I cannot recollect what I said to I took him by the shoulder and brought him into the hotel, and I gave him in charge to Sergeant Carroll, who was passing the place shortly afterwards. Cross-examined by Prisoner : I sjC\f] I would give you work after harvest, building a stable for me. The next witness called was George Taylor, who corroborated the evidence given by the previous witness. This concluded the case for the prosecution.

The prisoner then made a rambling sort of statement to the jury, which was to the effect that a man, if he was going to hang himself, would not tell any person of his intention to do so.

His Honor then addressed the jury. Without retiring, the jury gave a verdict of not guilty. The prisoner was then discharged.