Host Charged With Manslaughter

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31588, 27 January 1968, Page 36

Host Charged With Manslaughter

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, January 26. The husband of a woman who died after a party in their home at Waitati Place, Avondale, on Saturday was today charged with manslaughter in respect of her death and that of another woman guest.

Graham Wilfred Watt, aged 25, a medical detailer, appeared in the Magistrate’s Court at Auckland at 3 p.m.

He was charged that by an unlawful act and by omission without lawful excuse to perform or observe a legal duty, namely by administering menthyl alcohol otherwise known as methanol, to Anne Patricia Watt, aged 22, and other persons, he killed her and thereby did commit manslaughter.

He was similarly Charged with respect to Elizabeth Anne Tobin, aged 22, married, of Brunton Place, Glenfield. On the application of Mr J. G. Jamieson, Watt was remanded by consent to February 9. Bail was fixed at $5OO with a surety of $5OO. The Magistrate was Mr A. A. Coates, S.M.

The arrest was made on warrants issued after a con ference of senior police officers yesterday at which all information from the investigation was collated.

Detective Inspector J. F. Stevenson said the investigation involved interviewing all the people at the party and the analysis of a large quantity of exhibits. Four women became ill after the party, at which a quantity of punch was among the food and drink. Two died, but the other two recovered in hospital and have been discharged.