ALLEGED MANSLAUGHTER.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 281, 25 November 1921, Page 7

ALLEGED MANSLAUGHTER.

; ASS Aim T CHARGE SUSTAINED. SEQUEL TO COOK STREET FATALITY. The trial of the Fijian, Charles McGoon, on a charge of unlawfully killing Dv Moy, otherwise known as Wong Foo, did thereby committing manslaughter, took place yesterday before his Honor Mr. Justice Stringer and a jury at the Supreme Court. ' The prosecution was conducted by Mr. V. R. Meredith, and the defence was in the hands of Mr. Allan Moody. .There were alternative charges that the accused did bodily harm to Foo, and that he assaulted him. Mr. Meredith said that about 5.30 p.m. on October 24 a number of FijiaTis, who were "fighting drunk," were involved in a disturbance with some Chinese in Cook Street. Wong Foo came forward as a peacemaker, and the allegation was that the prisoner struck him a blow on the face. The Chinaman seemed to stiffen from the hips upward, and he fell back, apparently fracturing his skull. He was tnkon to the Hospital, but died next day, without regaining consciousness. Tn the brawl several other Chinese were injured, the Celestials being bowled over like skittles. "That man is killed" was the cry raised when Wong Foo was proßtraW. ami, said counsel, the Fijians then scattered. Cross-examined by Mr. Moody, a Crown witness named Robert Angus Leikis said there were three Fijians and 20 or 30 Ohinesp. and ths latter were very excited. Another Crown witness, T. D. Tennyson, replying to Mr. Moody, said there were only three Chinese near the Fijians. George M. Bottles described the earlier stages of the trouble, stating that he saw a Chinaman with .1 crowbar and a brick. He was standing holding the prisoner when a Chinaman "rushed at McGoon" with clenched fista. MrGoon struck the man. and witness did not see the Chinese rise. Wang Kui said that he came out of a restaurant with Won? Foo, and that the latter went to the Fijians and raised his hands in an appeal to them to stop fifrhting. He Fpoke to them in English. Prisoner struck Wong Foo. There were only three Chinese present when witness arrived on the scene. No evidence was called for the defence. The jury threw out the major count in the indictment and found accused guilty of assault causing actual bodily harm, and he was remanded until Saturday for sentence.