BANK TRAGEDY

Wairarapa Daily Times, 19 January 1932, Page 5

BANK TRAGEDY

BRUCE McCORKINDALE’S DEATH.

burton exonerated

FEILDING, Monday.

The bank tragedy inquest and the charge of manslaughter against J. LBurton were concluded to-day, and Burton was discharged. The evidence of the shooting of Biuce McCorkindale was as previously stated, no new facts being brought to light. Dr. Cameron stated when a man was suddenly awakened from a sound sleep his actions would be automatic, especially if be were awakened m a state o alarm. His actions might be described as instinctive or involuntary. All the evidence showed that McCorkinda made every effort to ascertain if Burton had returned. He did not succeed and therefore felt, it his duty to sleep on the premises. Burton gave evidence that be had no thought it necessary to advise McCorkindale of his return to sleep on the premises. as he had returned as arranged. He was a heavy sleeper. He was awakened by bearing someone at the window. He sat up, seized bis revo vei, and bred twice at the window without taking conscious aim. He thought it was someone trying to break into the bank, with intention to rob. He thought it necessary to act quickly, or the other person might have done so. After firing he tried to telephone the police and then looked out, expecting to see the person escaping. Instead, he saw a policeman, who told him McCorkindale had gone to the back window. He had heard of the Auckland bank case, which had been discussed by bank clerks generally and had tended to increase tension and nervousness amongst them. . Under cross-examination, Burton said that if he had challenged, he would have given the other person knowledge of liis presence and whereabouts. He had subconsciously fired at once to get in first. The Coroner, Mr E. Goodbehere, found that Bruce McCorkindale met his death through laceration of the brain and fracture of the skull caused by a bullet fired by Burton while deceased was attempting to enter the bank by night. The Magistrate, Mr R. M. Watson, on the manslaughter charge, saul there was no question that the only conscious thought and belief of accused was that an attempt was being made by some unknown person forcibly to break into the bank by night, through an upstairs window, with intent to commit an indictable offence. The question was, did accused act reasonably. The medical evidence was that his action was carried out without total consciousness. What consciousness lie had was that if lie did not act quickly the intruder might do so. Accused fired at the window. without taking conscious aim, to frighten the intruder. He had no reason to expect that McCorkindale would call at the bank. The incident was" most regrettable and extraordinary. The two young men were close friends and co-workers and this hideous and tragic occurrence, originating from a sense of duty, had separated them. The Magistrate considered that no jury would convict and therefore dismissed the charge. — (P.A.)