THE WELLINGTON TRAGEDY

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2081, 6 January 1908, Page 2

THE WELLINGTON TRAGEDY

ACCUSED BEFORE THE POLICE COURT. REMANDED TILE WEDNESDAY. Press Association. WELLINGTON, Jan. 4. James Malachy Sheridan was charged at the 'Police Court this morning with the murder of John -McNally yesterday afternoon. On the application of the police he. was remanded until Wednesday next. Rail was not applied lor. THE INQUEST. DEATH DUE TO HEMORRHAGE. VERDICT AGAINST ACCUSED. WELLINGTON, Jan. 5. An inquest was held yesterday, before the District Coroner, Mr. James Ashcroft, and a. jury of six. on the body of William McNally, concerning whose death James M. Sheridan stands charg <1 with murder. SubInspector O'Donovan appeared for the police, a’d Mr. Gray for tho accused.

The evident' indicated that deceased, a wharf laborer, received his pay, LI 17s, about two hours beforo the fatality, when lie appeared to be suffering from the effects of drink. THE SKULL UNINJURED.

Dr. Henry said there were no marks on the bo<J.v to account for death. The skull was uninjured, and there was no bleeding. EXTENBIVE HEMORRHAGE.

Dr. Eyffe, who had made an autopsy, said that after the removal of the skull-cap hemorrhage was seen under the dura mater on both lateral surfaces of the brain. Witness found blood running right down tho spinal cord along the base of the brain. Tho blood was effused blood, which had escaped from the lateral ventricles of the brain into tho base of the brain. With tho exception of the brain the organs were those of a healthy man. There was some fluid smelling of alcohol in the stomach. The cause of death was hemorrhage of the brain, duo to a. fall or blow when the vessels were probably congested by alcoholic excess. It was impossible that the hemorrhage could have been caused in any way except In- violence.

Dr. Henry said he agreed with Dr. Eylie’s opinion as to the cause of death. JEWELLERY IDENTIFIED.

Rachel McNally, wife of tho deceased, said her husband at the time ol his death was 11 years of ago. She last saw her husband at 7.30 o’clock on Thursday evening, 2nd inst., at their residence in Little Pipitoa-strcet. Tlo had inteneded to get his hair cut, but did not return that night. McNally had been perfectly sober ever since witness’s marriage with him on 2nd July of last year. He had not complained of being mixed up in any tow. Deceased possessed a watch and chain. Witness recognised the watch, chain, and locket (produced) as her husband’s property, and the watch (produced) was just like that owned by her husband. McNally did not complain of being unwell before lie went out on Tiiin.-day evening. He had a good tea. and had worked steadily during the week, with the exception of the holidays. EVIDENCE OF PAWNING.

Walter George Smart, pawnbroker, stated that the watch, chain, and locket produced were pawned at his office between 10 and II a.in. on Friday by Janies Sheridan, who was not accompanied by anyone, and made no representations about tho ownership of the goods pledged. AN EYE-WITNESS. Evidence was given by an eye-wit-ness of the occurrence, mainly on the lines of the information telegraphed on Friday evening.. Two witnesses agreed that Sheridan appeared to be looking after McNally. STATEMENT BY ACCUSED.' Constable Clay, who arrested Sheridan, stated that on the way to the Police Station witness cautioned the prisoner. (Sheridan said: “I never meant to kill him. I met him during tho morning: in company with some firemen. I saw lie was wasting his money on them, and I tried to get him away. I got him away ai'to.r a time, and then lie insisted on fighting me. He struck me several times. At last I lost my temper, and I struck him in return with my open hand, and he fell down. When I noticed him getting white 1 ran away. Don’t fell me he is dead, for I never meant to kill him.” WHY SHERIDAN INTERFERED. Sergeant Kelly, who examined Sheridan at the Police Station, said accused possessed lialf-a-crown. Sheridan told witness lie and accused had been drinking together. Deceased gave a stranger five shillings, and accused took him away to prevent him giving awnv all his monev. THE VERDICT.

The jury found the following verdict:—“That deceased met his death from an effusion of blood on the brain, caused by a blow delivered by Sheridan, or by a fall consequent on that blow.’’