ALLEGED MANSLAUGHTER.

Otago Witness, Issue 3231, 16 February 1916, Page 24

ALLEGED MANSLAUGHTER.

TIMAEU, February 9. The Supreme Court was occupied all day on a charge of manslaughter against James William Grant, a runholder in the Mackenzie Country, through causing the death of Hector W'. P. Cox, machinery agent, by the negligent driving of a motor car. causing a collision with a motor cycle ridden by the deceased. The evidence for the prosecution indicated that two cars were travelling along a dusty road at an excessive pace, the accused being in the second car and in the dust raised by the first, and that he turned off the middle of the road to the right-hand side, _ and almost immediately ran into the cyclist. The accused claimed that his speed was usual on. that road, and not unreasonable; that he was on the middle of the road, and did not turn off till after the collision; and that the swervo capsized the car. Ho did not see the cyclist, for just before ho met him n. ouff of wind raised a cloud of dust, and hid everything in front. The jury was out for four hours, and just at the limit agreed on a verdict of not guilty. It is understood that Mr Grant has made Srovision for tho widow and family of Mr bx.