At Winchester Assizes yesterday, Victor Michael Ruthven, ex-Roman Catholic priest, was indicted for shooting W. M. Woodham with a revolver at Shanklin, Isle of Wright, on 3rd March, with intent to do him grievous bodily harm.
The case arose out of some controversial lectures as to the confessional, &c., and Woodham died recently, but not as a result of the wound.
At one of Ruthven's lectures there was much interruption and a rush was made for the platform. Ruthven attempted to escape by a side door, but Woodham seized the revolver the accused was holding, and was shot under the left jaw.
Evidence showed that Ruthven was frightened very much, and it was stated he might have produced the revolver in self-defence, as there had been cries of "Mob him". A witness for the prosecution said he should have acted like Ruthven, and the judge said he was sorry to hear the witness say so. Ruthven said he fired in selfdefence into the air in extreme terror, but with no intention to injure Woodham, but to gain a place of safety.
The prisoner was found guilty of unlawfully wounding under severe provocation. In sentencing Ruthven to nine months' imprisonment in the second division, the judge condemned the carrying of loaded firearms.
The Irish Times, July 5th, 1901.