THE TUAPEKA HOMICIDE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1796, 22 March 1888, Page 2

THE TUAPEKA HOMICIDE

(per press association.)

Dtjnedin, March 21. The Icquest regarding the death of Alexander Oonnell, at Taapeka month on Sunday last, was commenced at Lawrence to-day, Moßobf, who la charged with murdar, waa present, and appeared to be very dejaoted. From the evidence of one witness It appaara there is a custom there of tying up men when they are drank, and there had been talk of tying up Moßory if he got drunk that night. The pott mortem has disclosed the fact that Gmnell received two wounds. At the Inquest Charles Edwards, laborer, who was with Connel', stated that the two of them, when going up the road, saw somebody, and Oonnell went to see who It waa. Witness saw Oonnell make a blow at Qloßory, bat could not say whether be hit him or not-, as it waa dark at the time. They took hold of each other and fell' down on the ground. Oonnell then sang out to witness, " Oome and take of Moßory, Charlie, he la using a knife." Witness went to Connell'a assistance, taking hold of Moßnry by the left hand. There was no knife In the hand witaess took hold of The other hand waa underneath Connell's body. Both men got on their feet at the same time, bat Oonnell staggered and fell down, at the same time calling out to Mcßory, *' Oh you b , to use a knife to me, a man that never harmed you." Moßory replied, " I could not have helped it, Sandy, if I was to be hanged to-morrow." Witness then assisted to take Oonnell to the Hospital. Moßory m the meantime cleared out. Witness could not tell the cause of the assault. The lnqueat will be conoluded to-night. Mcßory, it may may ba stated admits tho stabbing. Ha gives a slightly different version of it to that given by Edwards. Dunedin, Maroh 22. The inquest at Lawrenca did not conclude until one o'clock this morning. The jury after two hours consultation, during which time they asked the Coronor for directions, returned a verdict of manslaughter, addding as a rider that while Connell's dea*,h waa directly caused by the stab m the groin it was, nevertheless, expedited by the gross negligence and indifference of those about him.

Dr Withers m the course of his evidence said that death would not have occurred hud Cornell received proper Burgioal treatment, a very moderate amount of which would have prevented his death. A little judicious management wo aid have prevented bleeding, and Jt was to him amazing that men should let a man die through loss of blood, when by simply pressing a thumb on the vein they could have stopped the bleeding, whereas they dimply let the man bleed to death. The whole thing was mismanaged from, beginning to end.

Edmeade, publican, denied that he was any party to the quarrel or himself drank on Sunday night.