MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 152, 14 June 1935, Page 5

MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE

Case Against Mrs. Lorigan COMMITTED FOR TRIAL A plea of not guilty was entered this morning by Frances Millicent Lorigan, a married woman, of Hastings, who is lacing a charge of causing the death ot Christina Margaret Ramsay by an unlawful act, thereby committing manslaughter. The Lower Court hearing was completed this morning in Napier before Messrs A. E. Bedford and F. J. Annan, J.P.’s. Accused was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. The inquest, held in conjunction with the bearing, was adjourned tine die. Detective-Sergeant James Bickerdike appeared for the police and Mr C. Duff lor the accused-Detective-Sergeant James Bickerdike stated that on March 16,. in company with Detective Coddington, he interviewed the accused at the “Osocozy” tea-rooms, Hastings. After witness had informed her that he wished to interview her regarding the death of Miss Ramsay, the three of them went to accused's house, where accused made a statement, which the detectivesergeant read in Court. In this the accused recalled that a young man and young woman called to see her at the ’ Osocozy” tea-rooms. Accused told the young man that she could not discuss tht> matter because he had no money. The detect’ve-sergeant asked her if the deceased visited her on March 6. She replied that she was not going to say anything till she had seen a lawyer.

The foregoing evidence was corroborated by Detective H. F. Coddington, of Napier. This completed the evidence for the prosecution, after which the accused entered a plea of not guilty, her counsel reserving his defence. Accused was committed to the next sitting of the Napier Supreme Court fo r trial. Bail was renewed in the sum of £5OO for self, with two sureties for £250 each. Accused must also report once a week to the police.