THE TRAGEDY AT FRANKTON

Evening Post, Volume XCIII, Issue 98, 25 April 1917, Page 5

THE TRAGEDY AT FRANKTON

RESULT OF INQUEST. (BI TBLBGRAPB.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.) HAMILTON, 24th April. The adjourned inquest in connection with the death of Albert Ryan, who was found in an unconscious condition with his skull fractured in a -bedroom of the Frankton Junction Hotel, on 16th April, and who died two days later at the Hamilton Hospital, was resumed this morning, before Mr. W. F Mason, Act-ing-Coroner, and a jury. Mr. J. R. Liundon watched the proceedings on behalf of David Morgan Leckie, the man who was arrested and accused of the murder of Ryan, and who is now in custody. Evidence was given by two witnesses to the effect that Leckie hit deceased on the head with a full bottle of lemonade in the bar parlour of the Commercial Hotel. Leckie complained that deceased had seriously kicked him in a certain place. Leclde was sworn as a witness, and said he was a freezing works employee, formerly employed at the Imlay works, Wanganui, but recently living at Taumarunui. He declined to give further evidence. After a short retirement the ]ury unanimously agreed that the deceased, Albert Ryan, met his death as a result of a blow on the head with a full bottle of lemonade delivered by David Morgan Leckie. .