People v. Keller

Defendant is before this court charged with a misdemeanor assault against his mother-in-law. After he had been removed from the courtroom, following an adjournment to obtain counsel, his wife and mother-in-law in open court, appealed for physical protection stating that he had also assaulted his wife and they were in fear of further attacks. The only help the court could give was to refer the wife to the Family Court and the police. This incident has special significance in determining the question of law at the threshold of this proceeding.

There must be an immediate determination of…