MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 2393, 11 June 1924, Page 7

MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE.

[Per Presi Association.] AUCKI AND, Last Night,

The death of Albert Newby from injuries alleged to have been caused by William Keir was the subject of an inquest by Mr MclCeen, S.M., to-day, Deceased’s widow said that she had resided with her husband in rooms rented from William Keir. When they went home at £>,3o p.m. on June 2, the Keir family said they could not enter. ‘Mr Keir and deceased had a few words, and Keir knocked her husband down. Deceased got up and then Keir hit him again. He fell, his head striking the gutter. Constable Orr deposed to finding the deceased lying on the footpath. He conveyed him to the police station and thence to the hospital. Witness produced a statement made by Keir in which he asserted that Newby was drunk and had abused his sister. He said he put Newby outside the house and locked 'the door. Later Newby returned, still drunk. He went to prevent Mr and Mrs Newby entering by a window when Neriby struck him with a walking stick. He pushed Newby away and he fell into the gutter. He denied having struck Newby on either occasion. The Coroner found that death was caused by a fracture of the skull and laceration of the brain caused by a fall following a blow struck by William Keir, death being accelerated by the fall.

Keir was subsequently brought before the Court and committed foi trial on a charge of manslaughter.