ALLEGED MANSLAUGHTER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 19034, 11 June 1924, Page 11

ALLEGED MANSLAUGHTER

(Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, June 10. The death of Albert Neary, on June 4, from injuries alleged to have been caused by William Keir, was the subject of an inquest by Mr. McKean, 5. to-day. Deceased’s widow said she resided with her husband in rooms rented from William Keir. When they went home at 5.30 p.m. on June 2 the Keir family said they could not enter. Keir and deceased had a few words, and Keir knocked her husband down. Deceased got up, then Keir hit him again and he fell, his head striking the gutter.

Constable Orr deposed that he found deceased lying on the footpath and conveyed him to the police station, and thence to the hospital. Witness produced a statement made by Keir, in which he asserted that Neary was drunk and abused his sister. He put Neary outside the house and locked the door. Later Neary returned still drunk. He went to prevent Mr. and Mrs. Neary entering by a window, when Neary struck him with his walking stick. He pushed Neary away and he fell into the gutter. He denied having struck Neary on either occasion. The coroner found that death was caused by a fracture of the skull and laceration of the brain caused by a fall following a blow struck by William Keir, death being accelerated by the fall.

Keir was subsequently before the Court, and was committed for trial on a charge of manslaughter.