MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXVIII, Issue LXXVIII, 11 June 1919, Page 7

MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE

AGAINST A SERGEANT.

.ACCUSED BEFORE THE COURT

(BY TELEGRAPH— PEESS ASSOCIATION.) WELLINGTON, June 1L On remand, Sergeant Edward George •Furling Marsden appeared i v the Magistrate's Court-this morning on a chai »i> .ot manslaughter in connection with tSe -death of Staff-Sergeant-Major Samuel Manley Choate on the transport -Jakeha, on May 26th. Chief Detective Boddam, in opening the case, said that there was no evidence to justify the -slightest suspicion ot animosity between the men. * Quartermaster-Sergeant L. Messen.ger, who was on the Pakeha, said that on May 26th he was talking to Marsden •on the deck near one of the latrines -built of wood and bolted to the deck with iron rods. Choate came alono- and taking Marsden by the arm, said: Have .you any property of mine F Adeline in reply to Marsden that he meant'his cap. Marsden said yes, and took a <avi^? n cap off his nead and placed it on Choate's. Choate then asked Mars■den it the latter had a mirror of his Marsden said no, and Choate, who appeared to get excited, replied: "You're "_" i J*""'" Marsden asked Choate to take the words back. Choate refused and Marsden struck him with his fist Choate struck back, hitting Maisden! lhe latter slipped and fell, but got up and struck Choate again. Choate slip,ped and fell, striking his head on the + ™he latrin«- The deck was faiijlv wet. The men had always been friendly prior to this. The soldiers had slipped ■on the deck whde wearing service boots. l/Aoate had exhibited more temper than Marsden. Company Sergt. Mackav and Sergt. Lockett gave corroborative evidence. Owing to the non-appearance of the «nly other witness, Surgeon Captain i .ixordon, from the south, the further] hearing was adjourned till to-morrow