My Family Tree

VIC Birth Index. CHATFIELD, Alice May, CHATFIELD Amos & Mother Margaret GRAHAM, Year 1878, VIC 12215
VIC Death Index, RUTHERFORD, Alice May. Parents Amos CHATFIELD & Margaret GRAHAM, 1949. Reg. 21380.
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The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : Saturday 10 June 1911
MARRIAGE BARS TESTIMONY.
CHARGE AGAINST WIFE FAILS.

STAWELL. Friday - Before Judge Johnston, in General Sessions to-day Alice May Rutherford nee CHATFIELD, and William Michael Russell pleaded not guilty to three charges of larceny of horses and cattle at Kewell East.

Mr. J. Allan Anderson who appeared for the female accused, stated that she had yesterdav married the prosecutor Andrew Rutherford, by whom she had previously had eight children. He claimed that as the husband could not give evidence against his wife she should be discharged.

After some argument with Mr. T. C. Grano, who appeared for the Crown, Judge Johnston ordered Mrs. Rutherford's discharge.

The evidence adduced showed that after disposing of two horses and several cattle belonging to Andrew Rutherford, at Young Bros. yards, at Minyip on April 27, Russell, Mrs Rutherford, and her infant took train for Melbourne, leaving the rest of the family at Kewell South. Rutherford admitted that some of the stock sold belonged to his wife, while the auctioneers stated that all the selling transactions were made with Mrs. Rutherford, and not with Russell.

The jury returned a verdict of not guilty.