DEATH OF MOTOR CYCLIST

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 143, 21 May 1925, Page 10

DEATH OF MOTOR CYCLIST

FARMER BEFORE THE COURT,

Per Pross Association. NEW PLYMOUTH, May 20. In the Supreme Court to-day the trial was continued of John Thomas Martin, a larmer, of Stratford, on a charge of manslaughter arising out of a motor collision with a cyclist, Thomas Bruzier Brattle, at Stratford on the evening of March 18. Martin was also charged under the Motor Vehicles Act with driving recklessly or negligently so as to cause the death of Brattle and with being drunk while in charge of a motor car and by an act in relation thereto causing the death of Brattle.

Brattle was found gravely injured on the road and died a little later. Inquiries made by tile police took them to the home of Martin where, according to the evidence for the Crown, an examination of. Martin’s motor car revealed skin, hair and blood attached to the car. Martin was aroused from his sleep und placed under arrest. Other evidence for the Crown showed that on tho day of the accident Martin, accompanied by a friend, visited neighbouring towns in his ear and had several drinks. A witness who was given a lift in the car described the erratic driving of accused and said accused and his companion seemed to be under the influence of drink. He was satisfied Martin was drunk.

John Kane, accused’s companion in the car, remembered that it struck some obstacle near Pembroke road corner (the scene of the accident) and said it might have been a motor cycle from the way they struck it. The jury retired at 6.7 p.m. and returned at 8.27 p.m. with a verdict of guilty on tile fourth of the four charges, viz., that on March 18, at Stratford, while in a state of intoxication, the accused was in charge of a motor car and by colliding with Brattle caused his death. A strong recommendation to mercy accompanied the verdict.

Sentence was postponed till Friday,