DEATH IN TERRACE GAOL

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3141, 20 July 1917, Page 6

DEATH IN TERRACE GAOL

A 7 ERDICT AT THE INQUEST,

At the Magistrate's Court y^Widay afternoon Mr. "W. G. Biddell, b.M., held an inquest into the circumstances attending the death of James Laugnev. who died in the Wellington Gaol on .'.iminiiy afternoon. The deceased, who was thirty years of age, was a single horn in Ireland. On June 29 he was found lying in the open on Wellington Terrace, and when brought to the l.amoton Station it was seen that he was ill. "Flo was brought before the Magistrate the following day. aiul after two remands for medical treatment was on Saturday last sentenced to a term of imprisonment on a chnrge of vagrancy. In gaol lie was attended by Dr. Gilmer, who ordered his removal to the Hospital, hilt befoio ttfiis could be carried out the man expired. Dr. I-ylTe, who made a post-mortem examination, stated, that the body was in an emaciatcd condition, due to diabetes and long-standing kidney trouble. Jho cause of death was pneumonia, complicated bv diabetes and kidney trouble. In answer to the Coroner, witness stated he had made a very careful examination of the body, and found no marks or bruises either internally or externally. Henry Foreman, acting-gaoler. said that Laugney, when remanded for medical treatment was given medicine, and appeared to improve slightly. Tllie mail had made 110 complaints until '11} J-', when ho said he was suffering from pains in his abdomen. Being worse 011 the Jollowing day, Dr. Gilmer was sent tor, and he ordered the removal ot the man to the Hospital. When was heinp dressed to be taken to \ e JLospit:il lie suddenly collapsed and died. Sub-Inspector Dew called the attention of the Coroner to the fact that T,augney, when before the Court, had complained that a constable had kicked him. and desired to know whether it was necessary to caTl evidence oil the. point. The Coroner said it was unnecessary after Dr. TVlTe's evidence.. A verdict was returned that deceased died from pneumonia, complicated by diabetes and long-standing kidney trouble.