FISHERMAN'S DEATH

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 96, 20 October 1936, Page 6

FISHERMAN'S DEATH

TRIAL AT DUNEDIN

MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE

(By. Telegraph.—Press Association.)

DUNEDIN, October 19.

The trial' of Richard Corrigan on alternative charges of manslaughter and assault causing bodily harm in respect of the death at Palmerston on August 27; of George Stewart Neish, a fisherman, was continued in the Supreme Court today. Corrigan, the Crown alleged, inflicted fatal injuries by kicking Neish on the head. The accused, who pleaded not guilty, was represented by Mr. J. G. Warrington. Mr. F.B. Adams conducted the case for the Crown. '

Evidence was given by Dr. P. F. Howden, of Palmerston, who examined the body in. the early morning and formed the opinion that death had occurred before midnight, and by Dr. E. F. Dath, Professor of Pathology at the University of Otago, who conducted a post-mortem examination. Dr. Dath was almost certain in saying that the deceased was intoxicated when he died. Death in his opinion was caused by an injury to the top of'the head, and. the blow must have been severe.- The injury was consistent with a kick by a person wearing the'boot which was exhibited in court, and he expressed the; opinion that-the marks on the deceased's head coincided ■ with the nails on the boot. Death from such, injury would, not be immediate and might even follow some hours later.

Mr.'Warringtori asked Dr. Dath whether it was possible that the injuries were caused ..by a boot other than Corrigan's, but witness replied that it was unlikely, that in another boot the disposition ,of the nails would be the same. .The'position of the wound was such that he could not imagine any circumstances under which it could have been caused by a fall.

Alexander . Erliolm, fisherman, of Moeraki, '. described a visit by' witness and the deceased to Corrigan's, where drinking took place. The deceased and Corrigan went outside, and Corrigan returned, ten minutes later. Corrigan said, "I made a good job to put him out for a while," or something like that. When, witness opened the door, Corrigan walked in front of him. Corrigan went to the car and witness saw Neish lying under the fence..Wit ness, -thinking Neish was drunk, said, ."He must have gone out very suddenly,' It is not'good.'to leave the old man under' the fence all' night." He suggested that Neish'should be put in the car and taken to his own place. They- put ■: him in: the car, but , witness, who had Neish by. the legs, noticed no injury. Getting out of the car witness; who. had had more drink than he should, have, had, fell down a bank, and when'he ; got iip the car was gone. Neish was.lying feet downward on the bank.' '~".. .. >/

Thinking that he was drunk and might recover, witness left him there. Witness did not examine N,eish because he had seen him: like that.before. Later witness ■ pulled Neish's coat over his head,' and started to drag' him inside, but left.him at the door. Witness went inside and must have fallen asleep. When he awoke he called, but received no reply. He lighted a candle and saw some blood- He got a shock, and ran to the railway station and asked the porter to come. Later the local constable arrived.

The hearing, was then adjourned until tomorrow morning.