SPORTING.

Grey River Argus, 22 September 1910, Page 1

SPORTING.

BOXER'S DEATH.

"A PURE MISCHANCE."

AUTOPSY SURPRISES DOCTORS

The inquest concerning the death of Edward ("Soldier") Rogers, who died from an. injury received while engaged in a boxing contest with "Al" Cooperwaifce at Ballarat recently, was held by Mr W. M. Murphy, P.M. Inspector Ryan represented the police and Mr Fred Ham appeared on behalf of Cooperwaite. Mark Lazarus, barrister and solicitor, said that at the beginning of the 19th round deceased went at Cooperwaite strongly. From a right-hand blow 'Rogers fell, his Hea3 striking the floor. Witness never saw a fairer contest, and but for tne tragic ending the match was a treat to witness. To Mr Ham: Inspector Ryan was present, but did not interfere, for there was -nothing to -call for interference. Dr Davies stated tEat he made a post-morteiri examination of the body of the deceased. The cause of death was hemorrhage of the brain, probably causing paralysis of the respiratory centres. Mr Mr Ham : TKere were no indications of brutality, and one would not know deceased • had been in a fight. The lungs were-heai'thy, but both adherent to the chest wallte, owing- to pleuritic adhesions. Dr Salmon corroborated Mr Lazarus's evidence bearing on the lairness of the fight. He was present at the ppst-morten examination, and agreed with Dr Davies's .\iews as to the cause of death. ■ Mr Murphy": He was not in a fit state to fight? — It was quite a revelation to me to see tEe state of his lungs. But he showed no shortness of- wind during: the contest. Apparently the fatality was a pure mischance ?— Yes, aggravated by his condition; It was not the blow that caused his death? — Certainly not. Evidence having been given. by Archibald Stokes, dentist, of Paisley St., Fotscray; John Trekardo, butcher, of Bailarat ; Senior-constable Evans, Constable Hooley and John McPhail, commission agent, Bailarat* Mr Murphy said the medical) evidence, showed clearly deceased was not killed by a blow. It was more or Ifess indirect injury, of course, from a 'blow. If this were a case : of manslaughter, then if two men, . perfectly friendly, had a ; wrestling- match and one rolled over and, striking his head ruptured a blood-vessel, that presumably would be manslaughter also. The gloves submitted to him were remarkably well padded and made, and^he did not hink he need Eave any difficulty on the law. He found that deceased and Alfred Cooperwaite were engaged in a boxing match; that in the 19th round deceased received a blow which caused him to fait, on the back of his head ; and that death was due to hemorrhage/ of the brain, caused by a blow received in a boxing contest. He did not regard it as necessary to commit Cooperwaite for trial. His doubt had been whether such an occurrence amounted per se to manslaughter ; but he thought it did not, because of the friendliness of the men, the absence of malice, the precautions taken to prevent injuries, and finally the constitutional state of the deceased. Mr Ham : • Can you make an addition that death was due to misadventure ? The coroner: No; I don't think I shbuld say that. I am simpty to find out the truth. —