THE WELLINGTON TRAGEDY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 3781, 7 January 1908, Page 3

THE WELLINGTON TRAGEDY.

Wellington, Jan. 5.

An inquest was held yesterday on the body of William McNally, concerning whose death James M. Sheridan stands charged with the murder.

The evidence indicated that deceased, a wharf labourer, received his pay, 17s, about two hours before the fatality, when he appeared to be suffering from the effects of .drink. Dr Henry said there were no marks on the body to, account for death ; the skull was uninjured and there was no bleeding. Dr' - Fyffe, who had made an autopsy, said the cause of death was hemorrhage of the brain, due to a fall or blow, when the vessels were probably conjested by alcoholic excess. It was impossible that the hemorrhage could have been caused in any way except by violence. Dr Henry agreed with Dr Fyffe’s opinion as to the cause of death. Evidence was given by eyewitnesses of the occurrence.

Constable Clay, who arrested Sheridan, stated that on the way to the police station witness cautioned the prisoner, and Sheridan said: “ I never meant to kill him. I met him during the morning in company with some firemen. I saw he was wasting his money on them and I tried to get him away. I got him away after a time, and then he insisted on fighting me. He struck me several times, and 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 X ran away. Don’t tell me he is dead, for I never meant to kill him.” Sergeant Kelly, who. examined Sheridan at the station, said accused possessed half-a-crown. Sheridan told witness he and deceased had been drinking together. Deceased gave a stranger ss, and accused took him away to prevent him giving away all his money. The jury found the following verdict :• —“ That deceased met his death from an effusion of blood on the brain caused by a blow de--livered by Sheridan or by a fad consequent on that blow.”

os 8d r jC S2 re ' covered. Eight orders were made, and Age Pensions granted. Two twenty summonses fromT other Courts were served by the neailiff,