News media criticised over reports of youths’ deaths

Press, 22 June 1989, Page 35

News media criticised over reports of youths’ deaths

The news media was criticised during a Coroner’s Court sitting yesterday over its reporting of the deaths of a youth and his deaf companion in Christchurch last December. The Christchurch Coroner, Mr Neil MacLean, returned an open verdict over the death of the deaf youth, John Gerard Bryant, aged 17. The body of Mr Bryant and another youth were found in a car parked in the driveway of a Mandeville Street, Riccarton, house on December 2. Mr Mac Lean found that Mr Bryant died from carbon monoxide poisoning. Constable Tony Bruce said the police spoke with two witnesses who had been with the youths the night before their deaths. One witness had said the pair were drinking alcohol, smoked a cannabis cigarette and had argued between themselves. Constable Bruce said another witness described the pair having drinking races and smoking a cannabis cigarette.

A Christchurch pathologist, Dr Leonard Treadgold, told of the post-mortem examination he performed on the body of Mr Bryant. He said he considered the cause of death was carbon monoxide poisoning. Dr Treadgold said analysis showed Mr Bryant had an alcohol

level of 70 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood. The Bryant family was represented during the hearing by Mr Brian McClelland, Q.C. Michael Joseph Daly, the uncle of the deceased, was called as a witness for the family. Mr Daly said he knew John Bryant well and had done his best to help his upbringing, acting as a father figure after the death of his father. Mr Daly said he had met the other youth found in the car, once. The youth had normal hearing. Mr Daly said his nephew had been profoundly deaf and could not hear a car running. He said the deaths occurred overnight and his nephew would not have been able to see to lip read what his companion was saying. He said the deceased had no mechanical knowledge whatsoever and doubted whether he would have been able to attach the hose, as described in the evidence.

“I doubt whether he had any knowledge that the gas from the exhaust could kill him.” Mr Daly said his nephew had had learning difficulties because of deafness and had not made the academic progress of most people his age. He said the young man

came from a devout Catholic family which could not believe he had taken his own life, because it was against the religious teachings. “He was in good health apart from his deafness. He was a happy, confident boy. He was on good terms with his family.” Mr Daly said he personally believed the two youths had intended driving the car but were unable to because of a steering lock. The pair decided to sleep in it. During the night Mr Bryant’s companion attached the hose, and Mr Bryant was inadvertently killed. Mr McClelland, in his closing submissions, called for an open verdict over Mr Bryant’s death, saying it could not be proved he took his own life. "How he came to be in the car and in what circumstances, in my submission, cannot be proved.” Mr McClelland criticised media coverage. “For some reason there have been newspaper headlines and comments

indicating that John Bryant committed suicide. This is long before the inquest was opened.” Mr McClelland also criticised a magazine article "that was published with names and so on in June of this year. "That sort of publicity has caused the Bryant family, particularly the

mother, very great distress.

“That is the reason why I was instructed because, in my submission, it is quite clear when all the evidence is available, as it now is, that you, with respect, cannot be satisfied that in fact John Bryant committed suicide.”

Mr Mac Lean, in delivering his findings, said that as Coroner he wore two hats, having some responsibility in the initial investigation into unusual or violent deaths and then later, acting in a judicial capacity. “Often, when the police are interviewing witnesses and making inquiries, they are in fact acting as my agents. “I should say that when these two deaths first came to my attention it looked like a suicide pact. This hearing, submissions and earlier input has served a most valuable purpose. It has served as an indication of how wrong that one can be to

jump to conclusions.”

Mr Mac Lean said he had indicated generally to certain media that he thought there was a lack of awareness about media responsibility in seeking the coroner’s permission to publish details about deaths which appeared to be self-inflicted. “That, of course, extends in my opinion to loose use by the media generally of the expression ‘suicide’ when a formal inquest has not been held.” Mr Mac Lean said he intended to make specific comment about a magazine article. It would, he said, be adverse comment.

Mr Mac Lean said that the Coroner’s Act required him to first give the publishers an indication of what he intended to say. Mr Mac Lean returned a finding of suicide in the death of Shane Patrick Carroll, aged 16, who died in Christchurch on December 2 last year.