THE CORONER’S JURY AGAIN.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 11 June 1901, Page 4

THE CORONER’S JURY AGAIN.

Another Absurd Verdict,

(Special to Star.)

Dunedin, June 11

Much surprise was occasioned at the verdict of the jury at the inquest on the body of Harry May, found drowned in St Clair baths. The “Star" last night severely criticised the action of the jury. In the course of its article, that journal says, “We do not hesitate to say that the verdict of the jury represents an obvious miscarriage of justice. The Coroner would almost have been justified in refusing to accept such an extraordinary finding. It is hardly too much to say that every fact in the case pointed to suicide. We shall not dwell upon the fact, now notorious, that the deceased’s finances were in a state of serious embarrassment, as no evidence .on this point was put before the jury, though disclosures serve to make the nature of tile case still more certain to the public mind. Apart from the question of motive, the facts were all too suggestive and the duty of the jury was as clear as daylight. We cannot think that they would have been warranted in finding an open verdict of “Founddrowned,” but this did not satisfy them. They determined and ‘did upon their oaths’ say that deceased was ‘accidentally drowned.’ We have no option but to protest most strongly, painful in many ways as we feel the task to be,”