MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 196, 14 May 1919, Page 8

MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE

MAORI SENTENCED . TO IMPRtSON- . . MENT. (By Telegraph—Special Correspondent.) ■ Palmerston North, May 12. Supreme Court at Palmerston North was occupied .-all to-day hearing a charge of manslaughter preferred against a Native named Joseph Williams, who, it was alleged, had, at Levin, on April 21, caused the death of -Richard Fretchling by negligently driving a mo-tor-car. The, prisoner pleaded not guilty and was defended by Air. H. Cooper. Evidence was given to tho effect that on the night in question accused drove a six-cylinder Buick car down the main street of Levin on the proper side of the road, but inclining, drove into the deceased, who was riding a bicycle. The cyclist was caught' in the car and ct r-ried-'eome. distance before he fell to the ground, suffering from injuries which three days later caused his death. The bicycle was caught underneath the car and was dragged along till the ear was out of sight. The car was only going about 12 or IS miles an hour, and hr.d ODly one light, but after the collision the driver, who was identified as a Maori, kept on going in the direction of nocused's home. The street, was very ('imly lit at the' time. One witness said tho car was zig-zagging before it struck the cyclist. Several of the Crown's witnesses admitted, under cross-examination, that deceased Fretchling was somewhat deaf. Evidence was also given that on being approached by the police the accused had at first denied all knowledge of the accident, or of having driven down trie street, that night, but subsequently' he made a sighed statement admitting that lie had run into something which he thought might be a .bicycle, and had felt a bump at the time, but he did not realise that he had run into a man. It was too dark to see. _ He had admitted having had some drink. The police evidence, however, went to show that accused was sober when interviewed two or three,hours after the accident. No evldenco was called' on behalf of the accused, the defence resting on ah address by counsel, in which he sought to show that the Crown hnd not nroved criminal negligence. Counsel disc-, emphasised that the deceased cyclist vas deaf. The jury brought in a verdict of cuilty with a recommendation to mercy, and a sentence of six months' imprisonment was-imposed.