DEATH AFTER ARREST.

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 May 1901, Page 3

DEATH AFTER ARREST.

(pee peess association.)

Dunedin, May 22. ' The inquest was resumed to-day on Jas. Campbell who was arrested for drunkenness and window breaking on 13th inst. Ho became ill in the cells and was eventually taken to the hospital where he died on the 15th from acute peritonitis caused by the rupture of a small intestine.

Campbell had made a statement that he had been scuffling but implicated no one. As there was a possibility of the allegation that injury wa3 caused by l he arresting constables, Daubney and Hic*ey, they were represented by counsel, also Jessie Haymes who was in company until within a few minutes of his arrest. According to the constables' statement Campbell fell when chased and was found lying with his stomach on the kerbstone.

Dr Roberts who made a post mortem examination, in his evidence indicated that the absence of any external bruise showed that the injury was caused while the stomach relaxed under steady pressure which would produce a rupture. A sudden blow would do it. He favoured the theory that the injury was caused by the deceased falling on the kerbstone rather than by the arresting constable.

Dr Gordon Macdonald who examined Campbell some time after his arrest concurred in this view. The inquest was adjourned.