ALLEGED MANSLAUGHTER

Otago Witness, Issue 3542, 31 January 1922, Page 42

ALLEGED MANSLAUGHTER

CHARGE AGAINST TAXI-DRIVER. AUCKLAND, January 23. At the Police Court Russell Bedford Graham, a taxi-driver, was charged with manslaughter in connection with the death of Madge Cooper, aged 10, on November 19. Evidence was given that deceased and a companion aged 12 got off a tram in Manukau road. Deceased ran across the road and was struck by a motor car. A tramway man said that deceased stopped in the middle of the road, and the motor carried her 10ft, passing over her body. The motorman in the second car said that the motor was travelling at the rate of 20 miles an hour when it passed his tram. He did not think it slackened as it passed in front of the car. January 25. The hearing of the charge against Russell Bedford Graham of the manslaughter of a girl panted Madge Copper was

continued at the Police Court. One witness for the prosecution estimated the speed of the motor car at 20 miles an hour, and another at between 25 and 30 miles an hour. A constable gave evidence that accused in a statement said the brakes were in good order. He slowed as the tramcar was reached. Deceased was getting off a few yards in front, and she stopped and stepped back. A witness for the defence stated that he never saw the speedometer register more than 20 miles an hour. From his own experience of motors he considered that the taximan's actions were the wisest in view of the circumstances. The hearing was adjourned