CHARGE OF MURDER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7182, 18 January 1892, Page 4

CHARGE OF MURDER.

[Per Pbkss Association.] WELLINGTON, Jan. IG. At the inquest on Harry Crawford, medical testimony was given to show that deceased had been suffering from an affection of the heart tor some years, and that he had also undergone treatment for congestion of the liver, and the after-effects of drink. On the day previous to the occurrence Crawford called at a chemist's shop for a tonic, and he was at; that time in a particularly low state. The chemist advised him to go home, üb, in tho weak condition of his heart, the excitement in connection with tho election might have a bad effect on him. He appeared to have been drinking, and was taking a keen inteteot in the election. The medical man who made a poat-mortem examination of the body stated that the scar on the forehead, which did not touoh the scalp bone, was probably caußed by a fall. He found most of the organs in an advanced j atate of disease. The cause of death was ' syncope. If deceased had been stunned by a blow he would hardly have lived with the heart he had, and even a heavy fall might have caused death. In her evidence Mrs Crawford admitted that all the parties had been drinking during the evening. Witness and her husband took Mis Barnes home from witness's house, when Eaines commenced thrashing his wife, and on deceased inter* ! f ering Eaines knocked him out of the door j on to the verandah, where he lay without moving. She was quite certain that the blow on the forehead was dealt by Baines, and was not caused by a fall. WitneßS stated that after Crawford waa knocked down a fight ensued between Eaines and heraelf. Eaines' counsel endeavoured to chow that Crawford took his wife's part in this scrimmage, but he could nob shake the witness's testimony. Two of Eaines' eons, who we.'c in the house when the row occurred, swore to seeing Crawford walking about the yard affcjr the time the fatal blow was said to have been struck. The Jury gave a verdict in accordance with the medical to3timony, that Crawford died from natural causes. Eaines, who was arrested in connection with the unfortunate affair, has been admitted to bail, himself in £200 and two sureties of £100 each. On Saturday next, when Raines will reappear before the Magistrate, no evidence will be offered by tho police, and he will be discharged.