BEACH ROAD STABBING CASE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9257, 20 July 1893, Page 6

BEACH ROAD STABBING CASE.

ACCUSED COMMITTED FOR TRIAL At the Police Court, yesterday morning, before Mr. 11. S. Rush, R.M., Thomas McDonald, a w-.ii about 45 years of age, was charged with having, on the morning of the Oth duly, unlawfully and maliciously wounded one John Riisco!) with a knife, thereby causing him grievous bodily harm. Inspector Hickson conducted tho prosecution. Mr. J. O'Meagher appeared on beha.f of the accused. John Driscoll, a labourer residing in Grey-street, deposed that on Sunday, 9th . July, he met the accused outside the Star dining rooms, in Albert-street. He asked witness if he had seen a man named Law son. Shortly afte* this Lawson came out, an I joined them. They then visited St-. • i hotels, but could not get served wiin drink. The last place they visited was the Swan Hotel. Previous to entering this hotel, Lawson gave witness eighteenpence to pay for the drinks. They did not get served. Witness left the hotel first, and crossed the road. McDonald followed witness, and asked him to give the money to him, as Lawson owed him £5. Witness replied that if he could nut. shout, he would return the money to Lawson, Witness shoved him away. Lawson came up and stopped their quarrel, taking McDonald away. Shortly afterwards they crossed the road, where witness was standing. Lawson walked on. McDonald Stoppi- f , and said, " Now it rests between you and me." He stood in a threatening attitude with a knife in Ins hand. Witness told nim to put the knife away, or it would be the sorriest day of his life. On accused coming forward, witness struck him in tho chest. Accused made a second and third blow at him, the third timo striking him with the knife over the left eye. On asking him why ho had done it, accused made no roply, and walked away. Witness staggered across the road, and asked a man for a cloth. Cross-examined by Mr. O'Meagher : Witness said he had not been bothering the accused for money the previous evening. He did not remember how many times ho had been convicted by the Court. He had once been convicted of larceny. Dr. Lewis deposed to being called to attend the injured man on the 9th July, at Beach Road. He found him sitting on the ground propped against a house. The man was insensible. He had a clean cut wound on the forehead, at the inner angle of the eye. Ho examined the wound with his linger, and found no fracture. There had been and was a considerable amount of bleeding, the hair being matted with blood. There was also a large clot of blood, about ten ounces in weight, in tho felt hat alongside the man. After witness had dressed the wound, he ordsrod the man's removal to the Hospital. The man was suffering from a convulsive attack during tho time he attended him.

Dr. Homerville, house surgeon at the Hospital, deposed toDriscoll's admission to the Hospital. Arthur .Stewart, carter, in the employ of Burns and Co., deposed to seeing the two men fighting. He saw the prisoner walking backward, and Driscoll sending blows at him. Driscoll continued his attacks, driving him across the road. Witness saw the accused strike up at Driscoll. McDonald had something in his hand, but he could not see what it was. He afterwards saw McDonald throw a knife into the harbour.

Constable McDonnell deposed to searching for tho knife. He marked the place, and after searching on three occasions he found it about five feet from tho embankment. Detective Chrystal deposed to arresting the accused. When the accused saw witness approaching, he took from his pocket what witness took to bo a knife, and threw it in the harbour. Prisoner reserved his defenco, and was duly committed for trial. Bail was allowed .accused in his own recognisances of £50, and two sureties of £25 each.