SOLDIER'S DEATH

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 38, 15 February 1943, Page 4

SOLDIER'S DEATH

ON TROTTING COURSE

CHARGE OF MANSLAUGHTER

Arising out of the death of Private William Morrison,, a soldier, aged 42, who was picked up on the trotting course at Epsom on Saturday afternoon, Detective-Sergeant N. W. Bayliss arrested a suspect on a charge of manslaughter. This morning, in the Police Court, before Mr. J. H. Luxford, S.M., a labourer named John Kelly, aged 42, of Onehunga, appeared on a charge that on February 13 he unlawfully killed William Morrison and thereby committed the crime of manslaughter. Detective-Sergeant J. Trethewey obtained a remand until February 22. Mr. J. J. Sullivan, who appeared for Kelly, in asking for bail, said the police offered no objection. "It is alleged that the accused struck Morrison, who later died," said Detective-Sergeant Trethewey. "There was only one blow struck, so far as we know." "Is the accused a resident of Auckland?" asked the magistrate. Mr. Sullivan: Yes, sir, he is in business in Auckland. Kelly was allowed bail in a surety of £100. Between the sixth and seventh races at the trotting meeting at Alexandra Park on Saturday afternoon the police were summoned to give attention to Morrison who had collapsed and died. Morrison was taken to the casualty ward of the Atickland Hospital in an army ambulance. The police stated he had a pulse when placed in the ambulance, but medical examination on arrival at the hospital revealed he was dead. The inquest concerning Morrison's death was opened at the morgue this morning by 'Mr. F. K. Hunt, city coroner. Evidence of identification was given by Edmund Melsom, of 219, Hobson Street, after' which the coroner adjourned the inquest sine die.