MAIN ACQUITTED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16573, 4 November 1921, Page 11

MAIN ACQUITTED.

THE SPRINGSTON AFFRAY, The hearing of the case in which James Scott Main was charged with having, on September 14, discharged ri revolver with intent to disable Anthony Bartholomew M'Evedy and Bernard Nutta.ll was concluded in the Supreme Court yesterday before Mr Justice Adams. There were further charges of wounding, or attempting to murder M’JSvcdy and Nutt all, and of assaulting them. 3 lain' 3 plea was not guilty. Mr A. T. Donnelly, Crown Prosecutor. conducted the ease for the Crown. Mr M. J. Gresson, with him Mr C. 8. Thomas, appeared for the accused. Mr Greseon addressed the jury, Mr Donnelly, on behalf of the Crown, said that it was a serious matter that a quasi-public body allowed Main, their servant, to no about- armed. Main wan at the hotel as the guest of Mrs Harris and Withers. There was no evidence of impropriety in Nuttall’s party. It was clear that Main had been pretty heated while in the room with Nuttab’s party. The fact that Nuttall and Gibbs put ‘up with Main’s language in tho commercial room showed that they wer© not the aggressors, Nuttajl’s party, after being grossly insulted 'by accused, did nothing to Main, and went outside to get away home. If Main was not the aggressor, what vras there to have stopped him from going away from the hotel? There was no evidence of emergency such aa would justify Main in drawing the revolver. Mr Gresson pulled Mr Donnelly tip when he alleged that Main had said “ Stand, back or I’ll shoot the whole lot of you.” H© said Main did not admit that. Mr Donnelly said that Johnston said Main said it. Mr Grcsson said Mr Donnelly had made the allegation objected to as though the fact was admitted. Well, I take it that it is as good as admitted,” responded Mr Donnelly. “ Not- once hut several times my friend said 4 Thank God for Johnston.’ ” Mr Donnelly said that Main’s story was unsupported by tho body of the evidence. Main, had plenty of chances of getting away from the trouble, but ho did not do so. His Honor said he suggested it would be found of some value for a moment to disregard the bulk of the evidence and consider the evidence given bjp* certain of the witnesses. They might profitably consider that given by Johnston, Main nnd Withers. There was no sugestgion that Withers was hostile. It has been suggested that Main’s wrist had been caught- before the first shot was fired, bub the evidence contained nothing to support the suggestion. Ho asserted that a wcMnd such as M’Evedy received must have been shot while Main was standing, because it must have been fired from a higher level than the wound in order for the bullet to take such course. The jury retired at 4.3 p.m. and returned at 5.20 p.m. with a verdict of, not guilty on all counts, and Main was d i sell a rgecL