IDENTITY DISPUTED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 4 May 1931, Page 8

IDENTITY DISPUTED

A QUESTION OF CLOTHING EVIDENCE IN ASSAULT CASE MAGISTRATE DISMISSES CHARGE Unusual features marked the hearing of a charge of assault against Reginald Clarence Williams, a salesman, of Auckland, in tiie Pukekohe Police Court, reports the “New Zealand Herald.” He was alleged to have assaulted James Gleeson, a roadman, at Rumarama, on 14lh March. Mr Grierson appeared for accused. Arthur Wright, a carrier, of Rainaraina, said he was driving his motorlorry along the Great South Road at Ramaranut. He was on his correct side of t lie road, but in endeavouring to avoid a hole, the lorry skidded slightly in the loose metal. lie brought il, to a standstill, and then a big man in a blue suit and a white sun helmet jumped on to (lie running-board. Tiie stranger exclaimed, “What did you do that for? I'll kill you.” Tim man struck at him with Iris clenched fist, but hit the back of the cab, as witness was quick enough to avoid the. blow. STRUCK A VIOLENT BLOW ‘The man again attempted to strike witness, but lie moved away and stepped on to the road at. the other side of the cab. The stranger came round to ihat side and continued to use abusive and threatening language. Just then, Gleeson, who had been working nearby, came up, and the stranger struck him a violent blow on the mouth, hurling him back about a yard and leaving him lying unconscious on the road. Meanwhile, several cars had stopped and a small crowd had gathered. Just as he stopped the lorrv he noticed a car - , which was going in the same direction, stop on the other side of the road, *and lie took it that the stranger came from this car. He later identified Williams at the Pukekohe police station as Gleeson’s assailant. Corroborative evidence was given by the son of the previous witness. James Gleeson said that while working at a culvert, below the road lie heard the brakes of a car suddenly applied, and heard it scrape along the blackberry bushes on its wrong side of the road. He went to the road and saw the car and lorry stopped, with a man on the right side of the lorry arguing with the driver. Ho walked round to the other side of the lorry and received a violent blow, lief did not see his assailant at all. UNABLE TG WORK FOR SEVEN DAYS When ho recovered consciousness, he was sitting on the runnimr-board of the lorry. He had a cut on his lip and was unable to work for seven days after the assault. Detective Moon produced a statement by Williams, in which accused said thelorry suddenly pulled over to its right just as he was attempting to pass and ran his car off the road. Accused said he did not think the lorry-driver swerved intentionally, tie did not leave the car oi- hold any conversation with the lorry-driver. Accused gave evidence on the lines of' his statement. Questioned by Sergeant Cowan, lie said lie had three companions with him in the car. Two, Jack Johnson arid Daldin, were with .him in the front seat.. Johnson caljed to the lorry-driver as the car stopped: “Why did you do that?’” Apparently annoyed bv\the answer. Dab-; lin and Johnson left tile car. He did, not see what they did, as lie was driving the car hack on to the road. Ilis; third companion and he himself did not leave the car. Johnson and Dalilin returned and the trip was continued. DESCRIPTION OF THE CLOTHING Accused said ho himself was dressed in a grey suit and light fawn hat. John-, son was also wearing a light suit and fawn hat. Dalilin was in a double-breast-ed blue serge suit and helmet. Mr Grierson had previously stated that; Dalilin would give evidence for the defence. However, after Williams had concluded his evidence, Mr Grierson announced that his client had now instructed him to close the case. The . magistrate, ,Mr F. IT. Levien, S.M., said he thought that Dahlin should ho called, as he was in the vicinity of the Court, with a view to clearing the matter up. The magistrate pointed out. that on tne evidence so far heard, cither Williams had committed perjury as to how he himself was dressed, or Dahlin was the man who had committed the. assault. It would be to the benefit of, all concerned to settle this point at once. Mr Grierson conferred at some length with Williams. He then announced that iris client had decided not to alter his decision. Mr Levien said the charge against Williams would be dismissed, and it would be left to the police to take whatever proceedings were warranted by the circumstances.