A Fatal Quarrel.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXV, Issue 9730, 6 January 1908, Page 1

A Fatal Quarrel.

(I'kb Press Association.)

Wellington, January 5. An inquest was held yesterday before hj JJistiict Coroner (Mr James Ashcroft) .11. J a jury of six, on the body of William •l -\'ally, concerning whose death James ..1. Sheridan stands charged with murder. dub-Inspector O'lJonovan appeared for the police, and Mr Uray for the accused. 'foe evidence indicated- that deceased, a wharf laborer, received his pay of £1 17s a hoi! t two hours before the fatality, when he appeared to be suffering from the eflC; ts of drink.

Ji)r Henry said there were no marks on tie body to account for death. The skull was uninjured, and there was no bleed.i: o '. JJr Fyffe, who had made an autopsy, said that after the removal of the skull

-■an, hemorrhage was seen under the dura niatar on both lateral surfaces of the u.uin. Witness found blood running right jott'ii the spinal cord, and all. along the ;:se of tne . brain blood was effused. '}).iod had escaped from the lateral \encricles oi the brain into the base of the j:ain. With the exception of. the brain, i the organs were those of a healthy man. ; r.eie was some fluid smelling of alcohol .u the stomach. 'lhe cause of death was lemorrhage of t..e brain, due to a fall or •j-iw when tiie vessels were probably coii-ic.-ited by alcoholic excess. It was im- .' ssible that the hemorrhage could have r':"jn caused in any way except by violence. i,r Henry said he agreed with l)r Fyffe's .•pinion as to the cause of death.

Hachel M"Nally, wife of the deceased, ■ '.:iid her husband, at, the time of his death, .wis 40 years of age. She last saw her husband at 7.50 on Thursday evening, the iiir! hist., at their residence in Little P.ipi.ea- street. He had intended to get his ii'ir cut, but did not return that night. M'Xally bad been perfectly sober ever ■ nee witness' marriage with him on the :ikl of July of last year. He had not com. olained of being mixed up in any row. .jeceased possessed a watch and chain. >Vitnoes recognised the watch-chain' and oket (produced) as her husband's property, and the watch (produced) was just fixe that owned .jy her husband. iM'Nally did not complain of being unwell before .'ic went out on Thursday evening. He had a good tea, and had worked steadily during-the week, with the exception of lhe holidays. Walter George Smart, pawnbroker, stated that the watch, chain and locket produced were pawned at his office between 10 \ and 11 a.m. on Friday by James Sheridan, who was not accompanied oy any one, and made no representations about the ownership of the goods pledged. Evidence was given by eye-witnesses of the occurrence, mainly on the lines of the information telegraphed on Friday evening. . .

Two witnesses agreed that Sheridan appeared to be looking after M'Nally. Constable Clay, who arrested Sheridan, stated that on the way to the police station witness' "'cautioned the prisoner. Sheridan said : '"I never meant to kill him. I met him during the morning in company with some firemen. I saw he was wasting his money on them, and I tried' to get him away. I got him away after a time, and then lie insisted on fighting me. He struck me several times, and at. last I lost my temper, and I struck him in ireturn with my open hand, and he fell down. When I noticed him getting white I Tan away. • Don't tell me. he is dead, for I never meant to kill him."

Sergeant Kelly, who examined Sheridan at tiie station, said accused.possessed half a crowu. Sheridan told .witness he and deceased had been drinking together. De". Iceased gave a stranger five shillings} and accused took him away to prevent him giving away all his money. l The jury found the following verdict: "That deceased met his death by an effusion of blood on the brain, caused by a blow delivered by Sheridan, or" by a fall consequent on that.blow.'^