ERROR OF JUDGMENT

Feilding Star, Volume 9, Issue 3640, 8 February 1932, Page 8

ERROR OF JUDGMENT

CORONER'S COMM ENT MAX DIED AT POLICE STATION : METHYLATED SPIRIT ADDICT ! (Per Press Association). Ashburton. February S. At the inquest on William Stanley. 71, who died at t lie police ste- ' lion on January do, the relieving house surgeon at the hospital slated ne had examined the deceased, who was in an unconscious stale of Intoxication, evidently one to drinking methylated spirits. He was given an injection and a bottle of medicine handed to the police, witness considering the police station the host place for his recovery. Otherwise, a police guard would have been needed in case deceased became violent. Witness considered his condition satisfactory, bn t the postmortem revealed an internal state of toxaemia. which could not ho realised cxcepfc liy the postmortem examination. The police gave evidence that deceased hail been before the Court for drinking methylated spirits. The Coroner returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evi- i dence. .adding: “ I ant of opinion that the man should have been ad- ! mined to the hospital when taken j by the police. The doctor was quite ! honourable in his admissions. 1 an: ■ satisfied that the whole affair was ■ an error of judgment.”