“USELESS EVIDENCE”

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20831, 15 June 1939, Page 8

“USELESS EVIDENCE”

DOCTOR’S EXAMINATION INTOXICATED BUSPECTB TIME LAPSE AFTER ACCIDENT Criticism of the delay between the time of the accident and the time of the doctor's examination of a motorist suspected by the police of being intoxicated was expressed by Mr S. L. Paterson, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court, Hamilton, to-day. A case Avas before the Court in which a motorist was brought to the police station about li hours after an accident. He was examined by a doctor who concluded that the man was sober. A police witness. avlio went to tlie scene of the accident, considered the accused person was intoxicated just after the collision. " What is the use of bringing a doctor to examine a man one and a-baif hours after an accident?” asked the magistrate, addressing Senior-Sergeant G. 11. Lambert, who conducted the prosecution " The crucial time was 11 o'clock, Avhen the accident occurred and 1 Avant to know what his condition was then.” The doctor said he was not prepared to comment upon the driver's condition one and a-half hours previous to the time of examination. When the senior-sergeant made application for medical expenses against accused, the magistrate said no order could be made, as the charge of being intoxicated in charge of a car was dismissed. ” In fact,” the magistrate added, “ I do not think 1 will allow a doctor's fee against the accused person in a future case Avhen an hour and a-hall’ elapses before he is examined.” The Senior-Sergeant: It is a police* regulation, Your W orship, that a doctor must be called in for these cases. The Magistrate: I am not going to allow expenses for useless evidence.