Assaulted Prison Warders

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29722, 16 January 1962, Page 3

Assaulted Prison Warders

(N.Z. Press Association)

AUCKLAND, January 15. Two inmates of Mount Eden prison were convicted in the Magistrate’s Court at Auckland today on charges of assaulting two prison warders. Before Mr W. S. Spence, S.M., were Thomas Joseph Murray, aged 21, and William John Murray, aged 23, who pleaded not guilty to the charges. Brian Joseph Riley, a medical instructor at the prison, said that he was taking a routine sick parade on January 6. William Murray wanted to see his medical card but the warder refused to show him because he had shown it to the accused the day before. Thomas Murray came forward and an argument started about whether both accused should be in the sick yard or in the normal prisoners’ yard.

“I told another officer to put Thomas Murray on report for a breach of discipline,” said the witness, “but Murray came forward and punched me in the eye and also around the face. I ended up with two black eyes.” Riley said the other prison officer tried to grab Thomas Murray, but he was grabbed by William Murray. The officer then blew his whistle and other officers came to their assistance.

Thomas Worthington Cotter, a prison officer, also gave evidence.

Thomas Murray, in evidence, said Riley refused to show him his medical card, Murray told Riley he was just “a mug around the joint.” “Riley rushed at me and charged me into the wall using his head on my chest and bringing his knee into my groin,” said the accused. “I

hit him then because I was in pain.” William Murray said he had started to walk out of the medical room when the fracas started. He watched it for a few seconds and then decided to pull his friend out, but a warder grabbed hold of him.

The Magistrate convicted both accused and remanded them until tomorrow for sentence.