ALLEGATION OF ASSAULT

Taranaki Daily News, 7 April 1931, Page 9

ALLEGATION OF ASSAULT

DYING MAN’S DEPOSITIONS

DEATH FOLLOWS IN HOSPITAL.

STORY OF ATTACK IX MOTOR-CAB

By Telegraph.—Press Association.

Timaru, April 6. Serious ■ allegations were made by 8 dying man, Robert Galvin Nesbitt, a lorry driver, at a. special, sitting of the Police Court at the Timaru public hospital last evening against Thomas James Cox and John Henry Fitzgerald, who were jointly charged with having robbed Nesbitt of £l7 and in doing so used personal violence.

When Nesbitt was admitted to the hospital shortly after 6 o’clock on Saturday evening he was in a very low condition, suffering from shock, severe haemorrhage,, a compound fracture of the left thigh and other injuries which were the result of an assault which allegedly took place in a motor-car in broad daylight. . . ■ After Nesbitt was admitted to hospital his left leg was amputated at the thigh and a blood transfusion was performed yesterday in an attempt to save the injured man’s life. This, however, was of no avail and Nesbitt died at 4.30 this morning. ' . - Nesbitt in his depositions at the hospital stated that lie met Fitzgerald and Cox in a hotel on Saturday afternoon. The three men had several drinks and then Fitzgerald offered to..drive Nesbitt home. He accepted . the offer an<L the car Was driven to g street off Craigie Avenue, where Fitzgerald produced a pack of cards amf suggested a game. Nesbitt refused to play and asked to be driven home. Cox then drove to Coonoor Road, where Fitzgerald struck Nesbitt twice on the jaw. Nesbitt made a jump to escape, but Fitzgerald held him back. He managed to open the door of the car, however, and then apparently slipped, one of the rear wheels passing over his body.

When Constable W. Devine arrived on the scene Fitzgerald strenuously resisted arrest and the constable had to call Dr. R. W. King and two other men to his assistance.

" Cox and Fitzgerald were charged in the Police Court this morning with robbery with violence and were remanded for eight days, bail being refused.