TRIAL OF A WARDER.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1836, 23 August 1913, Page 5

TRIAL OF A WARDER.

' PATIENT'S DEATH.

THE SUNNYSIDE HOSPITAL CASE.

(By, Telegraph—Prcc9 iEsociaUon.)

Chrittchurch, August 22. Tho Sunnyuido Mental Hospital affaire which culminated in tlio death, of a par tient named Cl'ias, Thomas M'Meekin, was before the Supremo Court to-day, .when Joseph Martin Chapman (a warder) cama up for trial. There wore two counts, viz. t (1) That, at Christchurch, on July 8, ho ■ assaulted M'Meekin so as to causa iujurkvs which resulted in death, and did thereby commit manslaughter; (2) that, boing an attendant at tho {junnysido Mental Hospital, he struck and ill-treated M'Meekin. Prisoner was defended by Mr, M. Donnelly and Mr. A. T, Donnelly. Mr. T. W. Stringer, K.C., appeared ior tlio Crown.

l'lio evidence for tho Crown was similar to that given in the Lower Court, Mr. Donnelly submitted that there was no evidence to go to a jury on tho first count, as it had not beeai proved affirmo* tively that death had been accelerated. Mr. Stringer said that, in view of tho medical ovidence, he did not feel disposed to press tlio manslaughter charge. His Honour thought that this would bo tho safer course, find formally upheld Mr. Donnelly's contention, thus reducing, tlio charge to one of assault. ' ,

Tho accused wardpr, Chapman, gave' evidence. He stated that when ho opened the door of tho room, M'Moekin immediately rushed forward and etruok .at aim. Witness avoided thp blow and closed with the man. They then fell on tho floor, witness alighting on top of M'Moe-; kin. Ho (witness) then got up and lifted! M'Meekin up. lie had his left arm around M'Moekin's neck, and his right arm locked with M'Meolrin's. Another attendant named Todd had hold of M'Mookin's loft arm. and Stovens had hold of his legs. M'Meekin was endeavouring to kick Stevens. They put him on tho bed and held him there till ho "cooled down." Stevens hold his. legs' And witness 6tood j behind M'Mookin, having hold of his right arm with his left arm around M'Meekin's neck, Todd had hold- of his , left arm. '''After M'Moekin had "cooled down" Stevens put blankets over hia legs, and then the three went out of tho room. None of them struck or kicked M'Meekin. Ho denied having inado various statements alleged by witnesses for tho Crown to have been uttered by hiim Ho had had - ■occasion to report Duckworth for l n " j? ing beds in a filthy state in tho morning, ' aiid ho liad. cautioned Todd several times for tho way in lylii'ch ho put old'inon to bod. Ho had also reported Sykes. ' • 'lb Mr. Stringer! btevens's statement had not gone into tho-room-with' witness and Tcdd.was a deliberate lie. Witness also denied having said to Stovens what Stevens alleged Ju> had. i He averred that Todd, Stevens,'.'Oosklpy,. Sykos, and' Duckworth (tho Crown witnesses) had been ■ deliberately telling lies. Ho admitted >■, having removed a leaf from tho roport j book on account of a etatomont which:/ Coakley lmd mado to him. Ho had thexo. \ foro put •in a report stating lids own/ troubles. f f To His Honour i Ho had been on bad,, .terms -idth men. They had tui" "down," "on liiiri. \ ■ Tho hearing lasted till evening,,' and 1 will be Tcsumed to-morrow.