WOMAN ACQUITTED ON MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE AT AUCKLAND

Greymouth Evening Star, 5 July 1950, Page 8

WOMAN ACQUITTED ON MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE AT AUCKLAND

AUCKLAND, July 4 (P.A.) —The charge against Margaret Josephine Ryan, aged 34, a domestic,“of unlawfully killing Mrs Joan Phyllis Jack cn April 3, thereby committing manslaughter, was dismissed by Mr. J• Morling, S.M., in a reserved decision today. On the same charge Louisa Maria Clark, aged 62, a domestic, pleaded not guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Mr R. K. Trimmer and Mr L. Brown appeared for Ryan and Clark. At the conclusion of the evidence for the prosecution, which was heard on Monday, Mr Trimmer submitted that a prima facie case had not been established against . Ryan, and the Magistrate said that he. would adjourn the matter until today for considerationi • ' ■ ; 51 j “After considering the evidence and the submissions of .Mr Trimmer for Ryan, I have come to the conclusion that there is not sufficient evidence to justify sending Ryan for trial, said the Magistrate today. “In my opinion a jury could not come to the conclusion that she caused the death of Mrs Jack, and she is accordingly discharged.” The other accused, Clark, when asked if she.had anything to say, uiade a statement from the floor of the court. In this: she said: “I have no idea' what happened, to her. | She was only in the house a minute-or two at most. Myself, I did nothing at all

to her, nor did Margaret. It was a very great shock to both of us. I do not know where she had been before coming to our place. I had nothing to do with this. I do not remember ever seeing her before. I feel sure she is a stranger, to me. “I have heard the*evidence of Dr Gilmour and Dr Lynch, and I can only say that I used no instrument on the girl and did nothing to cause her death.” ..Bail was refused.