Supreme Court, Auckland.

Thames Star, Volume XIII, Issue 4295, 6 October 1882, Page 2

Supreme Court, Auckland.

Yesterday,

Me John Leydon Acquitted

John Leydon, an auctioneer well known at the Thames, was arraigned upon an indictment charging* him with baring, on the night of the 16th of Julylast, at Te Aroha, unlawfully wounded Michael O'Keefe by stabbing him wjth a knife. .^The prisoner, who was defended by Mr Hesketh, pleaded not guilty. After the Crown Prosecutor had opened the case, he called

Michael O'Keefe, a miner, who deposed that on the night of the 16th July last he was at Quinlan's Hotel at Te Aroha. There were a great number of other pef»"/ sons present, and amongst them the prisoner. He was under the influence of drink, and was going about from room to room, quarrelling with everyone whom be met. He had a row with young Whitaker and at last became so troublesome that Quinlivan appealed to witness to put him out. Witness accordingly went into the room where the prisoner was, and pointing to some .clothes, asked him if they were his, the-prisoner replied, "Don't touch them/" at" the same time displaying an open knife... Witness rushed at him and struck him upon the face, and at the same time prisoner stabbed him in the back ; the prisoner stabbed him again, and then the fell to the floor together, when the prisoner stabbed him a third time. Some people then interfered and separated them. [The witness' shirt, flannel, vest, and coat, all blood-stained, then produced, and identified.as having been those that were worn by him on the night of the assault.]

(FBOM OUR OWN COBBESF.ONDENT.) . In John Leydon's case, Judge Jslp was called to testify to tne character. He said he had known the prisoner ever since he was at the Thames and he never knew him to manifest any vindictiveness. He bad observed him through a good many elections and prisoner never displayed any. vindictive feeling that witness observed. Under the influence of drink he was very fond of talking. Mr Williamson (Crown prosecutor): Did you ever see him under .ill-, usage? Witness. Never knew anyone to ill-use him; he always seemed on very good terms with everybody. Prisoner was fond of talk when in liquor; he appeared at such times to be one of those talking fellows that nobody took much notice of. Mr Hesketh, in . his defence of prisoner, drew the attention of the jury to the slightness of the wounds, and the excitement that prevailed at the time, as evidence to show that the prisoner had not any "malicious or felonious intent." He further drew attention to the generally peaceable and good character of the prisoner. The jury brought in a verdict of acquittal.