CORONER’S DUTIES.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXXII, Issue 2806, 27 November 1931, Page 6

CORONER’S DUTIES.

SUICIDE VERDICTS. It may seem rather inconsiderate for the coroner to return a verdict of suicide while of unsound mind in the case of the 80-year-old London company director who went to such great pains to make it clear that he was perfectly sane at the time. It should not be forgotten that coroners are, after all, humane,’ and as a rule they act in the very best interests of their, shall we say, clients. It may seem more red tape for verdicts of suicide while of unsound mind to be returned time and time again without effort to bring evidence as to the state of the victim’s mind at the lime. Possibly it is red tape. But it is red tape with a sound reason behind it. A person who is pronounced to have committed suicide is assumed to have been temporarily, or permanently, unbalanced, whatever his own opinions. and for that reason not responsible for his action. On this assumpti -n Christian burial is permitted, and the performance of other legal obligations are simplified. The taking of one’s life after premeditation, and while of sound mind is not suicide, being called “felo de se.” In this case the dead person is held blameworthy for his own death. Right of Christian burial is refused, and in its train comes numerous other difficulties. Under the circumstances it is expedient for coroners to act as they do whenever possible.