MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE AGAINST CHRISTCHURCH MAN

Grey River Argus, 4 February 1948, Page 5

MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE AGAINST CHRISTCHURCH MAN

CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 3. John Richard Neylon, 34 years, roof tiler, pleaded not guilty, and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial when he was charged before Mr F. F. Reid, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, with unlawfully killing Richard William Webster, on or about December 25, thereby committing manslaughter. Detective-Sergeant A. A. Herron represented the police and Mr J. K. Mononey appeared for eylon. Dr. A. B. Pearron, pathologist at the Christchurch Public Hospital, said that Webster had a double fracture of the skull’, and in his opinion the first fracture at the front of the skull could have been caused by a blow from a blunt instrument. The second injury at the base of the skull was the actual cause of death, he thought, and was undoubtedly caused by a fall.

Jessie Robina Webster said her husband, Richard William Webster, went to work as usual on December 24. He said he expected to be home between 8 and 9 p.m., but he did not arrive, and next morning she learned of his death. Mabel Darling said that she saw accused and his wife at a hotel lounge on December 24. She did not speak to them. Her brothers, Andrew, and Richard Carney were also present. Richard asked if the Neylons could come to her house a while. She said he had no obpect provided they were decent people. She went home about 5.55 p.m. and was followed by the others. On the way she met Webster and he asked if he could come to see her husband. She agreed. When they arrived accused’s wife suggested pouring out a drink, but witness said that Mrs Neylon had had enough. Mrs Neylon resented that and struck witness on the eye with a shoe.

“I called my brother, and he came in with mv husband.” said witness. “We ordered the Neylons out of the house, and the whole party went to the back door. I was standing on the doorstep when accused’s wife pulled me into the back yard. My head struck the wall. I don't remember anything more until about 7 p.m., when I came to. Webster was sitting on a chair and my husband said Webster had been hurt, but he seemed alright.” She went to bed and next morning her husband said he was worried about Webster. She went outside and saw him lying unconscious on the grass at the side of the house. Richard Carney said that he and Webster went outside to stop the quarrel when his sister was dragged outside. Accused came over. and Webster pushed him away with his hand and said: “No you don’t.” Accused drew a bottle of beer out of his right hand coat pocket and struck Webster on the head with it. 11. was a heavy blow, and sounded like a shot. Webster hit. the ground immediately, and accused and his wife ran out of the front gate into Ferry road. Webster was helped into the kitchen, and Carney bathed his head with cold water to bring him to. After a while he seemed all right. Witness thought Webster 'vent home that night, but found him lying outside next morning.

William Albert Darling said Webster seemed reasonably well after a cup of tea and witness thought he had gone home. Later he found Webster lying outside and asked him to come in, but Webster refused, saying it was too warm inside. Witness visited Webster about six times during the night. When he saw him in the morning he realised that Webster’s condition was serious. He thought when accused arrived at his place he had some drink, but it was plain accused’s wife had had a lot of liquor. But for her there would have been no trouble.

Ronald Stewart Smith, a detective, said that at 5.45 a.m. on December 27 accused had come to the nolice station to make a statement. Neylon said during the afternoon of December 24 he had had some drinks and had been invited to a house at 83 Ferry road. He had had a fair number of drinks and took bottles with him. Plis wife had not much drink. His wife had been assaulted by a woman and two men and in going to her defence he had hit with a bottle the man who seemed to be causing the most trouble. After that he and his wife thought, only of getting away from the place.