HANGING OF BOY

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 March 1946, Page 7

HANGING OF BOY

SIX MEN CHARGED WITH MURDER THE LIVERPOOL CASE (Rec. 11.40 a.m.) LONDON, March 19. The likelihood of the 11-year-old boy, Charles Greeney, having been knocked unconscious before he was hanged was mentioned by the prosecuting counsel when the police court hearing opened at Liverpool against six men charged with the murder of the boy and also with breaking into the home during his parents’ absence. The accused were: James Welsh, seaman, Charles Lawrenson, seaman, Charles Patrick Hamilton, motor-driver, John Kay, taxi-driver, Henry Joseph White, decorator, and Thomas McGlynn, ship’s fireman. McGlynn was arrested at Gibraltar and flown back to England. The prosecuting counsel said Greeney died from rapid asphyxia. There was no evidence of the violent struggle which could be expected from sonieone in his normal faculties when put on a rope; therefore, the explanation might be that the boy was incapacitated by a violent blow. A pathologist would give evidence that the boy must have been suspended for half an hour. There was no evidence of accidental or suicidal hanging. The prosecution submitted that all the accused should be committed for burglary together. The hanging would require two men to carry it out. Neither Kay nor Hamilton was inside the house, though taking part in the burglary. There was no direct evidence as to which of the accused suspended the boy, and the prosecution alleged constructive homicide against the other four accused. Forty witnesses are being called and the hearing is expected to last two days.