A RANGOTEA CASE.

Manawatu Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 7640, 4 February 1903, Page 3

A RANGOTEA CASE.

John Hutcheson's Trouble.

" This BucoSso Don Juasi."

No Mops Than His Deserts.

David Patton Acquitted.

[By Our Special Reporter.) Yv'ellixgton, Tuesday. Mr Skcrrctt defended David Henry Patton to-day at the Supreme Court, when the latter was charged on three different counts with having assaulted John Hutchcson with intent to do him grievous bodily harm at Bongotca on December 27. It appeared from the evidence that Patton is brother-in-law to a young girl i;i connection with whom Hutcheson has boon charged with an indecent assault. Evidence was tendered to show that Pat ton had threatened to "rlo.-il with I-lutaheson," who subsequently called at a neighbour's house bleeding profusely from wounds said to have been caused by Patton hi the process of such dealing. Hutcheson, when cross-examined, denied having bragged about his conquests among certain damsels. No evidence was given for the defence, but counsel contended that even if Pat ton had assaulted Hutcheson there was no man who would not bo glad to shake him by the hand. Mr Justice Edwards in summing up was brief. He said ho was sure the jury must be convinced that this bucolic Don Juan had received no more than his deserts, but (and here his Honor looked very hard at his note book) people must not take the law into their own hands. The jury acquitted the prisoner after about 5 minutes' deliberation, and as Patton left the dock his Honor said he , was exceedingly glad that the jury had been able to find prisoner not guilty.