CHARGE OF MURDER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18754, 6 January 1923, Page 10

CHARGE OF MURDER

THE AUCKLAND CASE. FIREMAN IN TROUBLE. (Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, January 5. When the charge of murder preferred against John Finnigan was mentioned in the City Police Court this iporning tho chief detective asked that the case lie set down for hearing this afternoon, when the inquest on the dead man O’Keefe would bo resumed. To this Mr Allan Moody, for accused, consented. Tho charge arises out of a fracas between firemen on the steamer Tredcnham at midnight on Monday last, when it is alleged that. O’Keefe was pulled out of his bunk on the steamer by accused, who is a fireman an the Trcdenham. thrown on tho floor, and kicked into unconsciousness. The matter was not reported to the ship's officers until noon, on Tuesday, when O’Keefe was sent to the Auckland Hospital The injured man was operated upon on Wednesday night, but ho never regained consciousness, and died shortly after 9 o’clock yesterday morning. Mr J. W. Poynton. S.M.. presided this afternoon, when tho inquest was resumed, and the charge of murder was heard against Finnegan on tho same evidence. Captain Evans, master of (he Tredenham, was present in court with some of his officers and, several members of the crew. There was a large number of seafaring men, apart, from the principals, present in tho court. Chief-detective MTlveney was present to prosecute, and early in the procecdihgu said he would oppose any application for a reduction of tho charge to one of manslaughter. There was produced to the court, a plan of the firemen’s foc’sle, showing the position of tho bunk of the deceased. Accused stood in the dock calm and at attention. Dr Kelman. of Auckland Hospital, stated, that at i about 2 p.m. on Tuesday last Con O’Keefe was admitted to the hospital with blood issuing from his mouth, while blood appeared on some of his front teeth, which were loosened. His left eye was darkened and swollen, as was the right eye, and the right shoulder was bruised. The patient was unconscious, and. his condition becoming worse, an operation was performed on. Wednesday night by Dr Milsom in the presence of witness, but he did not recover consciousness, and died at 9 o’clock yesterday morning. When the patient was admitted ho was suffering from severe concussion, but developed symptoms of cerebral irritation. Dr Gilmore said he made an examination after death, and the cause of death was hemorrhage of the brain. At this stage accused showed signs of faintness, and a glass of water was brought, but he smashed the- glass away in attempting to clutch it, and foil on his knees to the floor. He soon recovered, however, am! was given a chair. Other medical evidence was given to show that the injuries wore consistent with a kick, a blow, or a fall. Sanutel Murphy, a fireman on the Tredenbam. described in detail (ho happenings in the .forecastle on the night in questionon Jauua ry 1. He said the crew had leave. Witness went ashore, and returned at' 9 p.m. sober. He wont to his bunk Inter. O’Keefe was then in the forecastle, and was sober. O’Keefe turned in. Accused came aboard about midnight. Ho was sober, hut showed signs of drink. He heard accused say: “I’m going along to sen that .O'Keefe.” Accused also said “What right has this fellow to stop in his bunk while I have to go down to work?” Finnigan woke up O’Keefe with o punch. O’Keefe asked; “ What is this for?” To this accused answered: “I’ll let you know what it is for, you dirty Finnigan dragged O’Keefe from his bunk on to tho floor and punched him again. He kicked O’Keefe on the head and body. He lifted his foot and brought it down on the side of deceased's head. Then others put Finm gnn into his bunk and lifted O’Keefe into his bunk. Next morning witness was going to call O’Keefe, when someone said: “You had belter let him sleep it out.” O’Keefe was then apparently sleeping. Witness did not see O'Keefe again until be viewed the body at tho Morgue. After the evidence of sfevernl other firemen had been taken the case was adjourned until Monday. ;