DYING PRISONER.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 29, 4 February 1928, Page 3 (Supplement)

DYING PRISONER.

CONDITION UNNOTICED.

CORONER CRITICAL,

"A serious aspect to this investigation is that this man was arrested on a Saturday and charged with being drunk and incapable. He was not before the magistrate until Monday, and was then remanded to Brixton prison." Immediately he was tak n to prison he was put in hospital. He was gravely ill, and died four days later." Thus Mr. Douglas Cowburn, the Brixton coroner, opening the inquest on Richard Marr, a shoeblack, aged 67, who died in Brixton prison. Evidence of policemen at Bow Street was that Marr slept in his cell from admission, at 820 aim. until about 3 p.m. He ate dinner and tea on Saturday; he also ate some dinner on Sunday. On Monday he had tea and bread and cheese before being remanded by the magistrate. The coroner questioned the police witnesses as to whether Marr really ate these meals, and they answered that they were certain that he did.

Dr. D. R. K. Watson, senior medical officer, Brixton prison, said that Marr was so obviously ill when brought to the prison on Monday that he was sent straight to the hospital. The Coroner: Would it be apparent to any ordinary intelligent person that he was ill? —It would have been apparent to a person of very little intelligence. Dr. F. H. Brisby, medical officer at the prison, said that from first to last Marr had no solid food at the prison. The Coroner: Would you have believed it likely that he could have had a substantial meal of meat, greens and potatoes at about two o'clock on Sunday? I would not say it was impossible; but it was extremely improbable. Summing up, the coroner said the jury must decide whether it was likely that a man so ill could eat the meal described. Were the police concealing their conduct. Ought they to have seen he was so obviously ill that a doctor was necessary

The jury found death was due to pneumonia, and that the police acted in a reasonable manner, and showed no neglect especially as the magistrate before whom Marr appeared failed to notice his con-