MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 117, 21 May 1925, Page 7

MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE

JURY BRINGS IN VERDICT OF GUttTY.

(BZ TELEORAPH.— PRESS ASSOCIATION.) NEW PLYMOUTH, 20th May. In the Supreme Court to-day the trial was continued;of John "Thomas Martin, a farmer, of Stratford, on a charge of manslaughter arising out of a collision with a cyclist, Thomas Brazier Brattle, at Strattord, on the evening of 18th March. Martin was also charged under the Motor 'Vehicles Act with driving recklessly or negligently bo as to cause the death of Brattle, and with beinodrunk while in charge of a motor-car, and by an' act in relation thereto causing tho death of Brattle. Brattle was found gravely injured on a road and died a little later. Inquiries made by the police took them to the home of Martin, where, according to tho evidence for the Grown, an examination of Martin's motor-car revealed skin, hair, and blood attached to it. Martin was aroused from sleep and placed under arrest. Other evidence for the Crown showed that o n the day of the accident Martin, accompanied by a friend visited neighbouring towns in tho car and had several drinks. . A witness who had been given a lift in the car described tho erratic driving of accused, and said that accused and hia companion seemed to be under the influence of drink. Ha was satisfied that Martin was drunk. John Kane, accused's companion in the car, said that he remembered that they struck some obstacle near the Pembroke road corner (the scene of the accident). It might have been a motor-cycle from the way they struck it The jury retired at 6.7 p.m., and returned ai 8.27 with a verdict of guilty on the fourth of four charges • viz , that on 18th March at Stratford, while in a state of intoxication, acccused was m charge of a motor-car, and by colliding witli Brattle caused his death. A strong recommendation to mercy accompanied the verdict. Sentence was postponed till Friday.

Messrs. Vine aiul Co.. auctioneers, will son lurmturc and n. radio receiving' set at the mart, 107, Customhouse quay, at 1.30 to-morrow.

Mossi-s. Samson Bros, will sell pianos and household furniture at tho Auction Arcade, G'ourtenay place, to-morrow, at « p.m.