VERDICT OF CORONER'S JURY. STATEMENT BY SHERIDAN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2808, 8 January 1908, Page 37

VERDICT OF CORONER'S JURY. STATEMENT BY SHERIDAN.

-• WELLINGTON, January "5.' An inquest was held yesterday before tha District Coroner, Mr James ."Asbcroft, arid a jury .six- on the body ' of William M'Nally, concerning whose death James 'M. Sheridan stands charged, with murder. Subinspector Donovan appeared for the police, and Mr Gray for .the, accused. "The evidence indicated that deceased,' a wharf > labourer, Teceived ' his pay", £1 17s, about j two hours' before the fatality, when he>| appeared to be suffering from the effects of drink. Dr Henry said there were no .marks on,, the body to account for death. The skull s } was uninjured* and there was no bleeding.* Dr Fyffe, wno had made an autopsy, said' that after the removal of the skull-cap hemorrhage was seen under ' the^dura mater on both patera! surfaces of the brain. Witness^ found blood running right down ,the> spinal ,cord. All along the base of the> > brain blood was effused. Blood had escaped .from, the- lateral' ventricles of the brain into the base of the brain. With the exception of the brain the organs were those of a "healthy man. There was some fluid smelling of alcohol in the stomachs The cause of death was hemorrhage of the brain, due to a fall or a blow when the vessels were' probably congested by alcoholic excess: It was impossible that the hemorr-hage-could haye i been caused in any way except by violence.' • Dr Henry said he agreed with Dr Fyffe'g opinion as to > the cause of death.

Raohael M'Nally, wife of ijhe deceased, said her husband at the time of his death was 41 years of age. She last saw him at 7.30 on Thursday evening, the 2nd inst., at their residence in Liftle Pipitea street. He had X intended 1 to get' his hair cut, -but did not' return that night. M'Nally had been perfectly sober -ever since witness's marriage with him on July 2 of last year. He had not complained of being 1 m,ixed up in any row. " Deceased possessed, a. watch and chain. Witness recognised the watch, chain, and locket (produced) as her" husband's property, and the watch (produced) was iust like that owned by her husband. M'Nally did not complain of. being unwell before he went out on Thurs- > day evening. He had a good tea, and had! •

worked steadily during the week, with the j exception of the 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 by anyone, and made no representations about the ownership of the goods pledged. Evidence was given by eye-witnesses of the "ocurrence, 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 "saidY "I never meant to kill him. I met him during the mornni- in company with jome 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 he insisted on fighting me. k He struck me several times. At iast I lost my temper, and I struck him in return with my open hand, and he fell down. When I noticed him getting .white I ran away. Don't tell .me. he is dead,- for I never meant to kill '

him/ «. . i -- Sergeant Kelly," who examined Sheridan at the station,, said possessed half a" crown. Sheridan told witjspss that he. and deceased had been prinking together. ' JDeoeafied gave a stranger five shillings, and -accused took him away to prevent him . giving-.away all his money. The jury found" the following verdict: — "That deceased met his death from an effusion of blood on the brain, caused by a blow- delivered by Sheridan, or by a fall .consequent on that blow." ,_ Sheridan was charged at the Police Court this morning with murder. On the apph- | .cation of tie police he was remanded untti | Wednesday next. Bail was not applied for. j