Public Prosecutor v Nati [1930] VUNHJC 11; Criminal 597 (30 September 1930)

JOINT COURT OF THE NEW HEBRIDES

Case No. 597

Summary of the hearing of the 30th September 1930

PUBLIC PROSECUTOR

v

NATI, Native of Malekula, employed on
Mr Ratard's plantation at Santo.

The accused appeared in person assisted by Mr BALLOT, "défenseur" for this purpose.

Identity was proved and the charge was read.

Question - "Do you know that you killed a Tonkinese"?

Reply - "Yes".

Question -"Were you a fried of the Tonkinese"?.

Reply -"No, but I did not want to kill him".

Question- "How did you hold the gun"?.

Reply -"Behind me".

Question -"How did you fire"?.

Reply -"I did not fire, the Tonkinese was in the direction of the gun, I did not see him".

Question -"I was going to a dance (tanis), I took the gun in to the house".

Address by the Public Prosecutor.

Mr BALLOT," défenseur" for the purpose, pleaded the defence of the accused.

The accused had nothinh more to say for his defence.

Deliberation Judgment

The accused NATI sentenced to one months prison and ordered to pay the costs of the prosecution.

Acting Registrar

Seen by President of the Joint Court