TOO SEVERE

Grey River Argus, 13 August 1935, Page 4

TOO SEVERE

MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE JURY ACQUITS LORRY DRIVER. CPer Press Association). NEW PLYMOUTH. August 13. David Vincent Roguski, firewood contractor, was to-day acquitted by the jury on a manslaughter charge. The indictment was that on April 27, Roguski left his unlighted motor lorry (which eould not be moved because the gears had jammed) parked with, the rear jutting into a street, thereby causing the death of Stanley Carlyon, a motor cyclist, who collided with the lorry. Roguski said that when the gears jammed, he had attempted to move the truck, but he eould not do so. He then fixed a red reflector to the rear of the lorry, but on the wrong side. He went for mechanical assistance. Carlyon, with a pillion rider, crashed into the rear of the lorry. He died on the way to the hospital. The jury returned to the court and stated that it felt that the manslaughter charge was too severe. The jury asked if the charge eould be reduced. The Chief Justice said that it could not. The jury retired, but returned almost immediately with a verdict of not guilty.