STATEMENT CHALLENGED

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31225, 24 November 1966, Page 18

STATEMENT CHALLENGED

Manslaughter Charge

(N.Z. Press Association)

GREYMOUTH, Nov. 23.

An oral statement, given by accused, Arvid John Hansen, seaman, aged 23, to DetectiveSergeant J. P. Crozier shortly before his arrest in the early hours of July 21 was ruled admissible by Mr Justice Wilson in the Supreme Court, Greymouth, today. Hansen is charged with the manslaughter of Joseph O’Hare, aged 41, cook on the collier Kawatiri, at Westport on July 20 after a dispute over the standard of a meal. He pleaded not guilty. Counsel for Hansen, Mr J. G. Leggat, questioned the admissibility of the statement, but after hearing it and Mr Crozier being cross-examined in the absence of the jury, his Honour ruled that it was admissible.

Mr P. C. Champion is appearing with Mr Leggat for Hansen, while Mr D. J. Tucker is presenting the Crown’s case before a jury, which includes two women.

Mr Crozier said that Hansen had told him that he had gone to see the cook in the ship’s galley as he took exception to having baked beans for tea. O’Hare had said it was “good enough for you lot,” and Hansen had lost control of himself and had hit O’Hare three times, leaving him lying on the floor. The hearing will be continued tomorrow.