ALLEGED MANSLAUGHTER.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 20 May 1925, Page 11

ALLEGED MANSLAUGHTER.

DEATH OF BRATTLE

A STRATFORD -CASE.

Arising out- of the death of Thomas Brazies Brattle as the result of a motor car accident, John Thomas Martin appeared before Mr. Justice. Alpers and a jury of twelve at the Supreme Court at New Plymouth yesterday to answer four charges arraigned against him, one under the Crimes Act of manslaughter, and three; under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1924, viz., that he did recklessly drive a motor-car, thereby causing the death of Brattle; that he did negligently drive a motor-car, thereby causing the death of Brattle; and that while in a state of intoxication he was in charge of *-a motor-car, and that by an act in relation thereto, to wit, colliding with a bicycle ridden by Brattle, ne did cause the death of Brattle. A plea of not guilty was entered. Mr. C. H. Weston appeared f<>r the Crown, and the defence was conducted by Mr. P. O’Dea. Evidence was brought to bear on the fact that on March 18 last Brattle, while cycling along the Mountain Road, at Stratford at about 7 p.m., was overtaken by the ear driven by accused and dragged .along the road, with the result that he died on his way to the hospital. It appeared that Brattle left the house of one HenryHatcher, storeman and salesman at Stratford, -at about ten minutes to seven on -the evening in question, on his way home, only to meet w-itli the fatal accident about half a mile away. Alice (Louise -Hignett gave evidence to the effect that she found the body at some time between seven ‘and halfpast. In response to -her call Simon Cook, of Stratford, rendered what aid' he could alld helped to pzace the injured -man in a car that Happened to be passing, and which conveyed Brattle to Dr. Saunders’ surgery, picking up Constable Gill on the way. James Jenkins stated that he had examined the road, and had discovered that deceased must have been dragged about 74 -feet before the car finally Left him. Together with Sergeant'Reid and Constable Gill, witness had examined accused’s car and found pieces of flesh, skin and hair attached there to. Accused had made some statements, some of which were unintelligible. Accused appeared to be getting over a drinking bout. Accused was arrested and take n to the police station, where he made a voluntary statement. Sergeant Reid stated that accused had made a written statement as to the number of drinks he had had cv

ing the day, and in it denied all .personal knowledge of the accident. He had said be had heard of the accident, and had been advised in Stratford to go home, as lie might be accused of having caused it. The court then adjourned until today.