SUICIDE IN GAOL.

Waikato Times, Volume 99, Issue 16652, 18 November 1925, Page 8

SUICIDE IN GAOL.

VERDICT AT INQUEST. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. The veil of mystery which surrounded the tragic death iat the Terrace Gaol on Saturday of an elderly • prisoner named William Hayden was lifted this afternoon, when in Ihe presence of the coroner. Dr. P. F. McEvedy, the acting-prison doctor, . conducted a demonstration in the cell which removed all doubt as to how deceased met his end. It revealed a case of suicide in which ingenuity and perseverance were the predominating features. The hour fixed for the Inquest was 3 p.m., but before taking the depositions the coroner, Mr E. ✓Page, adf journed to the cell which had been i occupied by the deceased. A scene was then enacted which threw considerable light upon what must have happened when Hayden was alone between 12.30 and 1.10 p.m. on Saturday. Dr McEvedy permitted himself to , ;.he “trussed up” in the manner in - which Hayden had been secured. The “refractory belt” was placed round his waist, his hands were pinioned to it and the handcuffs placed on the wrists. Finally a stout strap was tied pound his legs near the ankles and he was placed on his back on the floor of the cell. It was no effort for him to regain a sitting position, but there were some surprised looks on the faces of the onlookers when he was seen to cross one ankle over the other and draw his heels almost under him, at the same time opening his legs with scissor-like action. The result was that the strap securing the ankles came within easy reach of his manacled hands, and it was but the work of a few seconds to unloosen the knots. The next act was to pass the point of the strap ... through the buckle and form a runUnlng rioose of generous dimensions. Held in a certain position It required “• only a toss of the head for the noose to slip over the head and encirlo the V- neck, Dr, McEvedy then wriggled his way nearer to one of the rings in the wall, and by exerting some effort he succeeded in tying the end of the strap to the iron circlet. From that ' position a sudden drop backward would probably bffeet strangulation. A warder, Q, Gibson, then Illustrated the manner in which deceased was found by him, One end of the belt was attached to the ring, with the noose around the man's rieek, The body was slightly off the ground, After evidence had been taken a verdict w r as returned that deceased met his death by committing suicido in his cell.