GUILTY OF MANSLAUGHTER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2541, 10 February 1923, Page 3

GUILTY OF MANSLAUGHTER.

FINNIGAN SENTENCED TO 10. YEARS. Auckland, Last Night. Sentence of ten years’ imprisonment was imposed on John Finnigan, aged 32, who was found guilty at the Supreme Court of manslaughter in connection with the death of Con O’Keefe, a fireman on the steamer Trendenham. The charge preferred against Finnigan was murder, to which he pleaded not guilty. The evidence showed that on January 1 accused returned to his ship under the influence of liquor and struck the deceased, who was on his bunk, pulled him out and kicked him on (lie back and head, then bringing his boot down on deceased’s head. Counsel for the defence elicited the fact that deceased’s head struck the deck as he was pulled out of the bunk. Counsel said it could not, be denied accused assaulted O’Keefe, but he had no intention of causing bodily harm. The prisoner had not given evidence because he could not reinember anything about the incident.

His Honour said the assault, was cowardly and brutal and the jury would have to consider whether it had been established that the accused knew that what lie was doing was likely to cause death. After 45 minutes’ retirement the jury returned with a verdict of guilty of manslaughter.