JOCKEY ON TRIAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3704, 15 October 1927, Page 3

JOCKEY ON TRIAL.

MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE. SEQUEL TO FATAL ACCIDENT IN AUCKLAND. Auckland, October 13. The jockey, Walter Scott Bagby, was committed to the Supreme Court for trial on a charge of manslaughter, in that he negligently drove a motor-car in Manakau Road on September 26, thereby causing the death of Elizabeth Sarah Short. Evidence was given that the deceased and her grandson stepped off the footpath to board a tramcar which Avas draAving up, Avhen they Avere struck by a motor-car, the speed of Avhich Avas estimated at 25 to 30 miles an hour. The driver did not pull up, but Avcnt straight on.

Senior-Detective Hammond said he questioned Bagby at Ellerslie Police Station between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. on September 27. In a statement which accused made he said that after the imces on September 26 he walked home, got his car out, and Avas going to keep an appointment at Dr. Ring’s house. He had not been able to find the place and was driving back along Manakau Road. It Avas raining heavily Avhen he passed. Owen’s Road, and the light Avas glaring on the road. He AVas not doing more than 20 miles an hour. He did not knoAV he had struck anyone, but remembered having heard a scream which lie thought might have come from the brakes of the tram car.

“I did not know Avhat to do, and on the impulse of the moment I went on,” he said. Bagby added he Avas alone at the time and Avas quite sober, not having had any drink that day.

The detective said that Avhen arrested and charged Bagby expressed sorroAV. He said he would have reported the accident the folowling morning had he not received some ill advice. He would not tell who had given him the advice. Bagby reserved his defence, pleaded not guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. The Coroner at the inquest (Mr. F. K. Hunt, 5.M.,) reutrned a verdict that the deceased Mrs. Elizabeth Short died at the Auckland Hospital, the cause of her death (>eing shock and haemorrhage received through being knocked down by a car, driven by Walter Scott Bagby. The Magistrate said that owing’ to the fact that Bagby Avas on trial he Avould make no finding as to whether or not there Avas any negligence.

Bagby AA'as alloAved bail, the amount being reduced from £2OOO to £IOOO.