SANSON MOTOR FATALITY.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 2029, 16 August 1920, Page 3

SANSON MOTOR FATALITY.

MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE FAILS. Press Association. PALMERBTON N., August 14. The manslaughter charge ifgiiinst Warren Newth, arising out of the recent, Sanson motor fatality, resulting in three deaths, concluded to-day. Further evidence for the defence was given. Harris, an eye-witness, volunteered evidence that he saw Newth 'a car approaching fully lighted. Eglinton's car was not lighted. Passengers in Newth's car testified that Eglinton had no lights on his car, and Newth travelled at a very moderate pace. None of the occupants saw the approaching car, but they alleged that Eglinton drove on the wrong side of the road, and he must have been crossing over when the impact occurred on a slight bend. tu his address, counsel for the accused contended that the Crown's case had been entirely disproved. There was clear evidence that Newth drove at a moderate pace, and that Eglinton averaged a greater speed. The police tests were carried out unfairly. The prosecution had based the case purely on theory, which was not sustained by evidence. Addressing the 'jury, the Crown Prosecutor admitted that if his case depended entirely on whether Eglinton had lights at the time of the collision, it would fail, as the evidence on that point was not conclusive. Nevertheless, with ordinary care, accused should have seen the approaching car, even if it was not lighted. The evidence of eye-witnesses could noKbe accepted as conclusive. After a retirement of nearly two hours the juryreturned a verdict of fiot guilty.