THE CHRISTOHURCH ASSAULT CASE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10621, 17 March 1896, Page 7

THE CHRISTOHURCH ASSAULT CASE.

A DOCTOR SENT TO GAOL.

, Christchubch, February 18. At the Supremo Conrt to-day the cbarga against Arthnr da Renzi, formerly house surppoo at the hospital, of assaulting Richard D Thomas, chairman of the Hospital Board, no as to cause him actual bodily harm, was concluded. The jury, after a retirement of 55 minutes, f rand tha accused guilty of common assault. His Honor said that the prosecutor was a public officer, and it waß in consequence of his discharge of such public duties that the attack had been made upon him. Accused had made application for an appointment, and it was the duty of the prosecutor to state at a committee meeting any circumstances, in hie opioion, bearing on the matter. Assuming that what had been said had been eaid maliaiously accused had a proper remedy. Accused had by false pretences entrapped prosecutor into an office, in which the assault hid been committed. He (his Honor) was satisfied that the interview was planned with ttis intention of coercing prosecutor into a withdrawal of statements, and it was open to considerable doubt whether there was not an intention of punishing him physically if the explanation were not satisfactory. It was quite clear tbat prosecutor desired at ones to escape from tbe pines he bad b^en brought into. He (bis Honor) was perfectly satisfied th^vt prosecutor had been prevented from leaving the office. He wae under duress, and ramble to carry out his intention of escaDing. He (his Honor) was satisfied that Thomas deolined discussion, bs he might b9" expected to do. The story for tbe defence—that accused could have believed that Thomas intended violence—was an absurd story. The defenoe was a discreditable defence, and, in the case of the witness Brown, was atndeavoared to be eusjwrted by

deliberate perjury. A. Wow bad been Btruck deliberately aud without a shadow of provocation. The ansanlc was promaditated, and a oowardly outragti on a public man in carrying out his pablio duties. This was not aam which could ba met with a fiae, and he would sentence accused ; to one month's imprisonment.

A petition asking ths Government to release Dr do Renzi, signed by 5500 people, was presented to Mr Hall-Jones at the railway station Christoburob. The mutter was cousidered by the Cabiret, but it was decided t,h*t the law fhould be allowed to take its conrsa.