Hit-and-run case DISMISSED BY MAGISTRATE

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 October 1948, Page 2

Hit-and-run case DISMISSED BY MAGISTRATE

(P.A.) AUCKLAND, This Day. Saying that he would fake the responsibility for not sending the case for trial, Mr J. H. Luxford S.M., in the. Police Court at Papakura, dismissed three charges against Desmond John Markham, aged 25, which arose from the death of a woman pedestrian at Drury on August 28. Markfiam was charged with failing to stop his truck after the accident, failing to see if anyone had been injured and negligent driving causing tfie death of Mrs Dorothy Austin, aged. Constable Bryant gave evidence that while inquiring about the fatal accident he met the accused driving a truck on September 13. Markham agreed to his truck being inspected. There was a broad round dent oh the left mudgafd. Markharh said the truck haid overturned on September 9 arid the constable, later verified this. When questioned about the Drury accident, Markham said he Was in it. The lights of an oncoming car dazzled him. He felt a bump on the left, side of the truck and thought he had struck one of the white posts on the side of the road. He said his conscience had not troubled him a bit over, the accident. After hearing Mr S. D. Rice, defence counsel, the Magistrate said the accused’s actions were riot consistent with having killed a woman and fun away. He was quite convinced the accused had no knowledge of the accident arid could not see how ariy. reasonable jury would convict on any of charges.