CHARGE OF MURDER.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 16021, 6 January 1923, Page 7

CHARGE OF MURDER.

DEATH OF CON. O'KEEFE. ALLEGED ATTACK ON SHIP. JPei Press Association.) AUCKLAND, last night. When the charge of murder preferred against John Finnigan was mentioned in the Police Court this morning, the chief-detective asked that the case be set down for hearing this afternoon, when the inquest on the dead man, O'Keefe, would he resumed. To this Mr. Allan Moodv, for accused, consented.

Tho charge arises out of the fracas between firemen on the steamer Tredenham at midnight on Monday last, when it is alleged O'Keefo was pulled out of his bunk on the steamer by the accused (who is a fireman on the Tredenham), thrown on the floor, and kicked into unconsciousness. The matter was not, reported to tho 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 he never regained consciousness, and died shortly after nine o'clock yesterday morning. Mr. Poynton, S.M., presided this afternoon when the inquiry was resumed, and the charge of murder.was heard against Finnigan on the same evidence.

Capt. Evans, master of the 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 Court. Chief-Detective Mcllveney was present to prosecute, and early in the proceedings said lie would oppose any application for a reduction of the charge to one of manslaughter. Thero was produced to the Court a plan of the firemen's foc'sle, showing tho position of the bunk of deceased. Accused stood in the dock, calm and at attention.

Dr. Kelman, of the. Auckland hospital, stated that at 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. The right ear 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 Mas performed' on Wednesday night by Dr. Milsom in the presence of witness, but O'Keefe did not recover consciousness- and died at nine o'clock yesterday morning. When the patient was admitted he was suffering from severe concussion, but developed symptoms of cerebral irritation. Dr. Gilmoro made an examination after death and the cause of death was hemorrhage of tho brain. Accused showed «igns of faintness, and.a glass of water was brought, but he smashed the glass in attempting to clutch it, and fell on his knees to tho floor. He soon recovered, however, and was given a chair. Other medical evidence was given to show that the injuries were consistent with a kick, blow or fall. Samuel Murphy, fireman on the Tredenham, described in detail the happenings on the forecastle on the night in question. On January 1, he said, the crew had leave. Witness went ashore and returned at 9 p.m., sober. He went to his bunk later. O'Keefe was then in tho forecastle, and was sober. o''Keefe turned in. Accused came aboard about midnight. Ho was sober, but showed signs of drink. Ho heard accused say : "I'm going along to see that O'Keefe." " Accused also said : "What right has this fellow to stop in his bunk while I hav o to go down to work?" Finnigan woke up O'Keefe with a punch. O'Keefo asked: "What is this for?" To this accused answered, "I'll let you know what it is for, you dirty ." Finnigan dragged from his bunk on to the floor and punched him again. He kicked O'Keefe on the head and body. Ho lifted his foot and brought it down on the side of deceased's head. Then the others put Finnigan into his bunk, and lifted O'Keefe into his bunk. Next morning witness was going to call O'Keefe, when someone said: "You'd better let him sleep it out." O'Keefe was then apparently sleeping. Witness did not see O'Tveefe again until he viewed the body at the morgue. After evidence of several other firemen, the case was adjourned until Monday.