DEATH AFTER PARTY

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 219, 12 June 1933, Page 2

DEATH AFTER PARTY

Man Falls Over Staircase r COMMENT BY CORONER "The whole thing was disgraceful, and it is evident, that it was the result of what was more or less a drinking bout.” observed the coroner, Mr. E. Gilbertsou, J.P., al. tin inquest tit Pel.oue ou Saturday iuto the death of Leo Stephen Curtis, whose body was found in Hie old Empire Theatre building, I’etone, early last Monday morning. The coroner returned a verdict that deceased died on June 4 from injuries received iti falling over the staircase in the old Empire Theatre building. Mr. G. Findlay represented the relalives of the deceased. Janies Richard Swaysland said that it was customary for a party of meu to go to the Empire Theatre building ou Sunday evenings "for a beer.” On tlie night i.u question, Curtis did not seem to be druuk, and witness did not see him leave the room. When he reached the bottom of the stairs about 10 p.m., witness found deceased lying on the floor, and told him he had better go .home. Deceased had refused, so witness put. a seat under him, thinking lie would go home when he was sober.

Alexander Balncavcs said that all the party were more or less druuk, but there had been no arguments or fights. At deceased's request he had left him lying ou the floor, thinking he was druuk but not injured. .Returning about 6 o’clock the following morning, he found deceased, lying where he had left him, and immediately informed the police. Deceased did not complain of injuries before he was left previously. Walter Alexander Mutinier said he had had about four glasses of beer, aud Curtis had also had a number. All the party left about. 10 p.m.. as far as he knew. When deceased was found at the bottom of the stairs he stated ■that he did not want to go home. He did not appear to be drunk although he seemed queer. It was possible ■that he had fallen over the banisters, hut witness did not hear anything.

Robert Smith said he had had a few drinks during the day, and could uot say in what slate the others were when he arrived. He knew that deceased’s attitude when he had had drink was that he did not want to go home until be was sober. Constable G. E. King described the ■position of the body when he had been istunmoned. "With the exception of a (slight wound over the left eye there 'were no marks ou the body. Dr. J. T. Harding, who first examined the . body, said his first opinion w..s that if nothing were found at the •post-mortem death might have been caused through exposure. Dr. B. Lynch, pathologist, detailed the result of his post-mortem examination. The body had a superficial ■wound over the left eye, and head injuries indicated that deceased had 'fallen vertically on to his head. The 'breast bone, tbc pelvis, and four ribs ■were fractured, and all the injuries could have been caused by a fall from ■some height. He considered that death was due to multiple severe injuries to the chest, pelvis, and skull. The coroner said he gathered that deceased tripped over the staircase, aud fell on to the concrete floor below. In reply to the coroner's question whether the building was a usual place •for orgies. Detective McLennan stated that it was rented to a local sporting body, but he had arranged with ■the people in charge for a strict control of the keys, and no further trouble would result. “There is no doubt that there must have been a fair amount of beer consumed.'’ remarked Detective McLennan. "because one of the witnesses was drunk at 6 o'clock the next morning.”