A SERIOUS CHARGE

Hokitika Guardian, 7 April 1931, Page 3

A SERIOUS CHARGE

ROBBERY WITH VIOLENCE. A MANS’ DEATH. (By Telegraph — L‘er l’rass Association) TIM All U, April 6. Serious allegations were made l>y a living man. Robert Galvin Nesbitt, a lorry -driver, at a special sitting of the Police Court at Timarii Public Hospital: lest evening. against Thoina > James Cox. and .John Henry l‘ itzgera Id/ who were jointly charged uMli having robbed Nesbitt ol Cl. and ;n doing so list - I personal violence. When Nesbitt was admitted to the hospital shortly after (i o’clock on Saturday evening, lie was in a very tow condition, suffering from shock, sevov haemorrhage, compound ilecture of the left thigh ami other injuries, the result of an assault which allogenic took place in a- motor car in broad daylight. After Nesbitt was admitted to the hospital his left leg was amputated at the thigh, and blood transfusion was nerformed yesterday. in an attempt to save the injured mail’s lile. This, however, was of no avail and Nesbitt died at 1.36 this morning. Nesbitt in his depositions at the hospital stated flint he met Fitzgerald and Cox in an hotel on Saturday alter noon. The three men had several drinks and then Fitzgerald offered to drive Nesbitt home, lie accepted the offer and the car was driven to a street off Crnigie Avenue where Fitzgerald produced a. pack of cards and '.u’ggcsted a game.

Nesbitt refused to play and asked to he driven home. Cox then 'drove to Coonoor Road where I’ itzgorald struck Nesbitt twice on the Jaw. Nesbitt made a jump to escape, hut Fitzgerald held him hack. He managed to open the door of the car. however, and then apparently slipped, one of the rear wheels pasing over his body. When Constable W. Devine arrived on the scene Fitzgerald strenuously re sisted arrest, and the constable had to call l)r R. W. King and two other nun to his assistansce.

Cox and Fitzgerald were charged in lie Police Court this morning with robbery with violence, and were remanded for eight days, hail being refused.