NEGRO BOY CHARGED

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 32, 8 February 1929, Page 6

NEGRO BOY CHARGED

STABBIffG AFFRAY OIS SHIP.

PROVOCATION SUGGESTED.

AUCKLAND, This Day. Bosun Murphy of the American \ship Golden State, in the Police Court this morning, described the stabbing affray on that vessel last Saturday, which resulted in a negro I boy, Robert White Lamer, known as the'''Smiling South P'ole Boy," facing a charge of assault. The bosun said that the crew were not the bunch of savages counsel for the accused had suggested. The defending counsel asked that the charge should be reduced, say- , ing that he thought the accused had a good defence. '.-Lamer lived in terror "of his life, and counsel hoped to show that the assault had been committed in selfueience. Detective-Sergeant Kelly said the assault! was made with a butcher's I knife. there were teaiures which

might suggest provocation, but there was certainly no .provocation for using a knife. ■■ Evidence was given that Murphy, tlve man assaulted, on admission to the .hospital, was suffering from 'haemmorhage from a wound 1 1-4-incnes long, abM three inches aooveand outside the heart. Complaintant smelt faintly of alcohol. ' Murphy,®in his evidence, said that accused had been canrying (tales from the crew's mess room to the chief steward and he had had an altercation with the 'latter, whom he struck. Lanier came in and jumped 'on witness and threatened to kill him. He shook the accused off and chased him to the galley

door. '*>!?»» Later the captain threatened- to put him (witness) in irons. Just after midday pie accused attacked witness while he (Murphy) was sitting in the mess room. Witness was cross-examined On lines suggesting provocation, and he admitted that, he drank,and. "had a good time; also that he had heen concerned in "free for all" brawls.