State v. Small

The defendant, Rose Small, was convicted of simple assault and sentenced to imprisonment for one year, of which nine months were suspended. From this judgment she appeals. The proceedings relate to a series of incidents on February 8, 1976, during which the defendant was injured and her husband was killed in a violent encounter with officers of the Cranston Police Department.

At trial the defense presented no evidence. The evidence adduced by the state indicates the following facts. At approximately 7:15 on the evening of February 8, Mr. Small and defendant, in one automobile, pulled up…