"NOT GUILTY"

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 124, 28 May 1930, Page 13

"NOT GUILTY"

A WOMAN'S DEATH

LO.RKY DRIVER'S ACQUITTAL

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

NAPIER, 27th May,

In the Supreme Court to-day, Reginald Frank Hunt was tried before Mr. Justice Ostler and a jury on charges that on 10th May, at Napier, while in a state of intoxication anf in charge of a motor-vehicle, he caused the death of Mary Kingsland, and that on the same day he negligently drove a motor-ve-hicle, causing the death of Mary Kingsland. Evidence, was brought, for the Crown to show that the accused was intoxicated .at the time of the accident. Two eye-witnesses stated that the accused's speed would be between 25 and 35 miles an hour, but whereas one stated that the lorry driven by the accused had run into the bicycle ridden by the .deceased, the other stated that he would not be sure of that. Both witnesses gave evidence that the lorry had zig-zagged after passing them. Further evidence was brought .to show that the accused had not applied his brakes, and that the brakes were-, vi der the standard of efficiency required by the regulations. Evidence for the defence sought to prove that the brakes were efficient and that the zig-zagging was caused by a faulty drag link. One witness said that the bicycle had run into the lorry. The accused, in evidence, denied having seen the deceased at all. He denied that the wheels had gone over her body, and stated that he was neither drunk nor intoxicated. In summing up, his Honour pointed out that the Crown must prove negligence, and not intoxication. After a retirement of two hours the jury returned a verdict of not guilty.