SUPREME COURT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 7, 24 August 1911, Page 6

SUPREME COURT.

PALMERSTON SESSIONS. (Per Press Association.) Palmerston N., August 23. At the Supreme Court to-day John Owen was charged with (1) attempted murder; (2) assault; (3) demanding money with menaces; (-1) intimidation; all arising out of his assault on Augustus Percy Easton, a farmer, at Moutoa, Foxton, on April 21, 1906. Ho threatened Easton with a knife and axe and fired at him with a single breechloader while ho demanded money from Easton, who was writing out a cheque for his wages. Prisoner was recognised in Auckland by fingerprints after being arrested for resisting the police. Owen was found guilty on the second charge, and will he sentenced to-morrow.

John Stella, a farmer, of Ohakunc, was charged with killing and stealing a pig at Rangataua on July LI, the property of Martin O’Driscoll. Accused slmt the pig with a pea-rifle l o)i his own property, and next night was caught carting the pig away by throe witnesses. Accused said he tool-, the pig for a wild one. After the jury had retired for one hour and fifteen minutes a verdict of not guilty was returned.

WELL INGTO N SESSIONS. Wellington, August 23. The criminal sittings were continued to-day before Mr Justice Sim. Arthur Frederick Charles Davies, on a charge of theft from a dwelling, came up for sentence, and was admitted to probation for IS months, and during that time is to abstain from alcoholic liquors.

PA LA lERSTON SESSION S. Palmerston North, August 24. In tho Supreme Court to-day Frank Burford was found guilty of false pretences at Hunterville, and was sentenced to six mouths’ imprisonment. J. R. McGregor and A. S. Dickson, for theft from the person, were admitted to probation for twelve months, and an order made that each pay 10s per month towards the cost of tho prosecution; they wore also ordered to keep away from hotels and drink during the term of probation. John Owen was found guilty of assault in connection with the Moutoa case live years ago, in which ho was charged with attempted murder, and sentenced to eighteen months’ reformatory treatment, leniency being extended on account of an accident which partly destroyed his mental balance.