HINDU DIES AFTER A FIGHT

Wanganui Chronicle, 7 May 1947, Page 6

HINDU DIES AFTER A FIGHT

;CRY CONVICTS YOUNG MAN OF MANSLAUGHTER CP.A.) Wellington, May 6. A jury in the Supreme Court today, after a retirement of 82 minutes, found Neville Trevor Lawrence, tramvay conductor, aged 21, guilty of manslaughter, as a sequel to the death of Alekh Ram, a fellow tramway conductor, who died in the Wellington Hospital on February 19 after a fight with accused ot the Newtown tramv. ay barn, Wellington, on the previous afternoon. The jury made a strong recommendation for mercy. Prisoner was remanded fop sentence. An alternative charge of having assaulted Ram so as to cause him actual bodily harm was brought. The case was heard before Mr. Justice Cornish and a jury. The crown prosecutor, Mr. W. H. Cunningham, conducted the prosecution and Mr. B. H. Arndt appeared for the accused, who pleaded not guilty to both charges. Mr. Cunningham, in outlining the evidence to be given, said the Crown’s case was that the accused struck Ram, whose head was so injured by his fall that he died. James Silas William Evans, motorman, said he saw the accused start skylarking with Ram. Accused started pushing Ram up and down the room. Ram said to the accused: “You come up here with a few beers and want to run the place.” Accused replied: You get a good living in this country. Why don't you go back to your own country?” Witness later saw Inspector Cocker separating the accused and Ram. The Uttar wai: bleeding from the mouth. Later still he aaw Ram on the floor Md accused appeared to be striking Mm on the face. Crocs examined by Mr. Arndt, witMtt Mid the accused and Ram appeared to be skylarking in a good

matured way. Ram appeared to be trying to wrestle with Lawrence. He ■ could see no sign of liquor on the accused. George Henry Dyhrberg, motorman, said he heard the accused use filthy language to an inspector in charge. Witness later saw accused start to annoy Ram as the latter was counting up his cash and making up his tickets. Ram said: “Leave me alone, you white B—.” Lawrence said: “Call me that again and I will clean you up.” Ram said: “So you are.” Then the fight started. Mr. Arndt intimated that he would not call any evidence for the defence.