MANSLAUGHTER ALLEGED

Waipa Post, Volume XXIV, Issue 1641, 14 May 1925, Page 5

MANSLAUGHTER ALLEGED

A QUESTION OF SPEED.

AUCKLAND, Wednesday. The trial of Stanlely Alfred Rule (Mr Finlay) on a charge of manslaughter was brought to a conclusion at the Supreme Court to-day. The charge was the sequel to the death °f Mrs Esther Mary Watts, who was knocked down by a motor bus driven by in Broadway, near the Great South Road corner, on the evening of January 16. In summing up, Mr Justice Herdman said an important point was the testimony of an experienced doctor, who stated that the woman's injuries must have resulted from severe contact witn the bus. Divergent views had been expressed by witnesses as to the sppea of the vehicle. An important point had been made by the constable, who said that a measurement of the skid mark showed that the bus went on skidding for 26 feet from the point of contact with the woman, and after that, for 56 feet with the wheels revolving. The jury might consider this to be clear and convincing proof of the reckless speed at which the bus was moving prior to striking the woman. The jury returned a verdict of guilty on an alternative charge of negligently driving a motor bus and thereby causing the death of Mrs Esther Mar/ Watts. The foreman stated that the jury were of opinion that a considerable amount of the responsibility for the accident attached to the unfortunate woman who was killed. The jury asked that this be taken into account, and recommended the prisoner to mercy in view of this, and his youth. He is to be sentenced at 9.30 on Monday.