ALLEGED ATTEMPTED STABBING.

Auckland Star, Volume XX, Issue 194, 16 August 1889, Page 2

ALLEGED ATTEMPTED STABBING.

It is Dot often that the Bench at the Courtdecide to proceed with a case after-the police have signified that they wish to withdraw from the prosecution, yet such was the case at the Police Court this morning. Messrs S. Y. Coiling and J. Aitkeu Connell were on the Bench, and a man named Isaac Olsen was charged with having on the 9th of August unlawfully assaulted one Thomas Evans Taylor by attempting to stab him with a pocket-knife.

Sergeant - Major Pratt asked that the case might be withdrawn, as it was evident that the prisoner was suffering from the effects of drink when the offence was committed.

The Bench said : " This is a serious charge, and the Bench must oppose its being withdrawn at the present stage." William E. Taylor deposed that he was a sailor residing in Custom-street. On the 9th of the present month witness was in his boarding-house when the prisoner was present. Accused was merely a visitor, and arrived about 6 o'clock in the evening to see some shipmates. He stayed tixl 10 o'clock, and about that time drew a knife from his pocket and opened it. Witness asked what he had drawn it for. Prisoner replied, "It's for you," and made a lunge at witness, who warded the blow with his hand and broke the blade of the knife. Prisoner was in the horrors ab the time. Witness closed with Olsen, and they had a struggle. Afterwards witness went tor the police, and by the time he came back prisoner was <»mte cool again. Witness had not given Olsen any provocation whatever. Prisoner was labouring under the horrors after a drinking bout. Witness wished to have the charge withdrawn, as he knew that if the man was in his proper senses he would never have committed the assault. John Gardiner deposed that he was present when the assault was committed. corroborated the evidence of the last witness. Before drawing the knife prisoner locked the door. Mr 3 Sarah Caundle and Constable Addison also gave evidence. Prisoner reserved his defence, and was duly committed to take his trial at the next criminal sittings of the Supreme Court. The Bench remarked that the offence was a serious one. Murder might have resulted, and drunkenness aggravated rather than decreased it.