MOCK SUICIDE’S FATAL END.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1010, 15 October 1912, Page 4

MOCK SUICIDE’S FATAL END.

An extraordinary case of a prisoner who accidentally hanged himself in carrying out a feigned attempt at suicide came before the Leeds Coroner on August 15th. The victim was Thomas Crouau, 24 years of age, who had been confined in Armley gaol. He was found hanging from the window of his cell, a strip of the canvas of a mail bag being tied round his neck.

The prison surgeon, Dr Kxley, said he did not think the man realty intended suicide, but wished to attract attention by a sham attempt with the object of getting removed to “B i” cell, where he would have better treatment. “If a man wants cocoa and gruel,” the witness added, “and says, tyt I cannot have it I shall do something to myself,’ be is at once taken to B x, because if he did make an attempt and it accidentally came off, it would be a very awkward thing for the medical officer if it was given in evidence that the man had threatened to take his life.”

The governor of the gaol; In real cases they invariably use a stool and kick it away. The man did not do so. The coroner said he was inclined to take the view of Dr Exley, that there was no intention to commit suicide.

The jury assented, and returned a verdict of death by misadventure.