FRIEND SHOT DEAD

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21035, 10 February 1940, Page 12 (Supplement)

FRIEND SHOT DEAD

Sergeant-Major Breaks Down at Inquest Lawyer Questions Details of Accident

After a verdict of “accidental death’’ had been returned at the Croydon inquest on Sergeant Harold Bryan Wright, 30, who was killed by a revolver shot in the chest, Mr Williams, representing Wright’s family, questioned certain of the evidence. “We quite appreciate that this was an accident, but for myself I cannot feel that it happened in the manner described,” he rejnarked. “That is a matter for the jury on the evidence,” stated the coroner. “If you are dissatisfied with the verdict you can go to the Divisional Court, but I cannot listen to you now.” Sergeant Wright, who was in civil life an engineer, and whose address was given as Dollis Avenue, Finchley, was shot with a revolver belonging to Battery Sergeant-Major Edward Terence Buggan, who broke down while giving evidence and had to be assisted from the court. Sergeant Major Duggan told the court that the accident occurred when he was about to clean his revolver in his room, in which Wright, his friend, was standing.

Revolver Went Off He picked up the revolver and attempted to “break” it. He must have cocked the hammer with his thumb instead of pressing the release catch. He could not break the revolver as the hammer was cocked, so he pressed the trigger, and it went off. Duggan broke down while he was being questioned by Mr Williams, who said, “We appreciate that this was an accident, that you did not intend to do this.” “Of course I didn’t,” replied Duggan, in tears. When Mr Williams was putting further questions, the coroner asked him what was the point of the examination. Mr Williams replied: “I was not satisfied that he was telling the truth, or exactly what happened.” Addressing the jury, the coroner pointed out that it was for them to decide whether to add a rider commenting on the action of the man responsible. They might, on the other hand, leave the question of any blame—if there were any blame—to the military authorities.