MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE

Hokitika Guardian, 22 May 1925, Page 1

MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE

THE STRATFORD AFFAIR, BY TKI.KGU.U’II —I’IIKSS ASSN., COI’YRIC.UT. NEW PLYMOUTH. May 20. In the Supreme Court to-day the trial was continued of John I lioinas .Martin, a fanner of Strutloril, on a c harge of manslaughter, arising out ol ~, 11 1 sii,,\ " ill: a cyelisi. I homas Brazi,.,- Braille, at Slratlord. on the ''Veiling 111 March 18. Martin uUn "acharged miller the .Motor ''chicles Act with driving recklessly m m-gligi nll,\, Sll •| . to cause the death ol Brat tie. and with being drunk while m charge of a motor-ear and by an ait m i‘ ,l tii.n i hereto causing the death ol Brattle. • • . , limit It* was louml gravely lnjiuieu „„ the mad and died later. Inquiries made hv the police took them to the | !nm ,. oT .Martin, where, according to evidence for the Crown, an examination of -Martin’s motor-car revealed hair and blood attached to tho car. Martin was aroused Horn sleep and placed under arrest. Other evithe Crown showed tliai on the dav of the accident. Alavtin, ac-(-ompaiiiiil hv a fried, visited neifiTiIlouring towns in his car and bad several di-inks A witness who was given a ‘lift in the car described the erratic driving of accused, lie said that accused and his companion seemed to he under the inlluonce of drink. Ho was satisfied that Martin was drunk.

John Kane, accused's companion m (he car, said he remembered-that the car struck some obstacle near I’eml„,,ke road corner (the scene of the accident). It might have been a motorcycle from the way they struck it. The jury retired at 0.7 p.m. an( l turned at 5.27 p.m. with a verdict of cuilty on the fourth "I Die tour charges, viz., that on March Is at Stratford, while in a state of intoxication. accused was in charge of a motor-car and by colliding with Brattle caused his death. A strong recommendation to mercy accompanied the verdict. Sentence was postponed till Friday.