LEADING TO TRAGEDY

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 32, 7 August 1923, Page 10

LEADING TO TRAGEDY

MOTORIST'S RECKLESS DISREGARD FOR LIFE.

CM TELla«Apn.-PRBSS ASSOCIATION) AUCKLAND, 6th August. A term of twelve months' imprisonment was imposed at the Supreme Court by Mr Justice Hodman to-day on Sydney Murphy, a taxi-driver, who was found guilty last week of manslaughter. The prisoner -knocked down f£ rSfS£ f? tal ' indies on Mrs. Wizabeth Sharpies, when driving down Upper Queen street. H e drove straight on, and denied practically all knowledge of the collision, the crime being proved principally because of the observations of a police constable who witnessed the accident from a distance of 58 yards. 'I look upon the offence as very grave indeed," said his Honour. "The case shows plainly how a sudden and reckless disregard for life and limb by a person in control of a motor may lead to tragedy. The jury was perfectly right in coming to the conclusion that you were guilty of negligence. In my opinion you were guilty of wicked negligence. °

His Honour referred to the fact that accused had admitted feeling a bump and must have known he had run over the lady, yet he bolted as fast as he could went to bed, and tried to evade detection. That the car was going at a reckless speed was evidenced by the frightful injuries sustained. When a man in control of a motor was reckless as to life and limb he ran the risk of being punished as a criminal. Taking full cognisance of the jury's recommendation to mercy, ■ his Honour imposed sentence.