DEATH IN GAOL

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9717, 20 July 1917, Page 7

DEATH IN GAOL

INQUEST ON LANGLEY

An inquest was held yesterday afternoon by Mr W. G. Riddell, S.M., into the circumstances concerning the death of James Langley, who died at tho Wellington Gao! on July 10th, at 4.5 o’clock in the afternoon. Deceased, who was thirty years of age, singie, and a native of Ireland, was found in an ill-state of health on June 29th on Wellington terrace. The man was obviously ill when brought to tho police station, ami was remanded on i two occasons by the magistrate toi medical treatment. On Saturday met he was sentenced to a. term of imprisonment for being a vagrant, and died on Mondav afternoon, as stated. Medical testimony was given by Dr Gilmer, gaol surgeon, who attended deceased before his death, and ordcied his loinoval to the hospital. Dr Fyffe. who conducted the postmortem' examination on the body, stated that deceased was’ in an emaciated condition, due to diabetes and long-staudiug kidney trouble. Tbs cause of death was pneumonia, complicated by diabetes and kidney trouble. „ Tn answer to tho Bench, Dr ■bj’ile said that tho fact that deceased did not complain was consistent with his state of health. Ho had made a very careful examination of tho body, and could discover no signs of marks or bruises, either internal or external. Henry Foreman, acting-gaoler, stated that he had: deceased under observation, when he was remanded by the court for medical treatment. He was given medicine, and appeared to improve slightly. Tho man was a “weakling,” but made no complaint until July 15th, when ho complained of nains in the abdomen. Ho was advised to remain in bed, and, being worse on the 16th, the doctor was sent for. On Dr Gilmer’s arrival ho examined Langley and ordered his removal to the hospital. These orders were being carried out, and when deceased was being dressed he suddenly collapsed and died.

Sub-Inspector Dew drew’ the magistrate’s attention to tho fact that deceased had complained that a constable bad kicked him, and ho desired to know if His Worship would like to hear evidence of the constable who brought him to the station. His Worship said there was no necessity, as Dr Fyffe had stated there were no marks on the body either internal or external, and added that everything possible was shown to have been done for tho man while in gaol. A verdict that dcceasea died _ trom pneumonia, complicated by diabetes and long-standing kidney trouble, was returned. Langley had followed the ocoupa* tion of a seaman and general labourer. He had no relatives in New Zealand.