SEAMAN NOT GUILTY

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31226, 25 November 1966, Page 14

SEAMAN NOT GUILTY

Manslaughter Charge

(From Our Own Reporter) GREYMOUTH, Nov. 24.

A jury in Greymouth this evening found Arvid John Hansen, aged 23, a seaman, not guilty of a charge of manslaughter. Hansen had been charged that on July 20, at Westport he had caused the death of Josef* O’Hare, aged 41, the cook on the col Her Kawatiri After a retirement of more than four hours and a half, a jury of 10 men and two women returned to say that they were unable to agree. When his Honour (Mr Justice Wilson) asked the foreman if there was any possibility of agreement, he was told that the jury was uncertain as to the meaning of reasonable doubt.

The jury then retired again while counsel and his Honour conferred in chambers. When the jury returned, his Honour said the question was whether the accused was defending himself against an attack by the deceased, or whether the accused provoked the attack. After a further retirement of 25 minutes the jury brought in its verdict. The accused was discharged. Mr D. J. Tucker, Crown solicitor, conducted the prosecution. and Mr J. G. Leggat and Mr P C. Champion, of Christchurch, appeared for; the accused.