LATEST TELEGRAMS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 309, 6 January 1908, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS

THE WELLINGTON TRAGEDY. THE INQUEST. VERDICT AGAINST SHERIDAN. Per Press Association. Wellington, East Night. An incpiest was held yesterday before the District Coroner (Mr. James Ashcroft) and a jury of six on the body of William McNally, concerning whose death dames M. Sheridan stands, charged witn murder.

Sub-Inspector O'Donovan appeared for the police, and Mr. Gray for the accused. The evidence indicated that deceased, a wharf laborer, received his pay, CI 17s, about two hours before the fatality, when lie appeared to be suffering from the effects of drink. Dr. Henry said there were no marks on the body to account for the death, j Tne skull was uninjured, and there was no bleeding. -Dr. Fyffc, who had made an autopsy, said tliat after the removal of the skull cap hemorrhage was seen under the dura mater on both lateral surfaces of the brain. Witness found blood running right down the spinal cord. All along the base of the brain, blood was effused. Blood bad escaped from the lateral ventricles of the brain into the the brain. With the exception of the brain, the organs were those of a healthy man. There was one fluid smelling of alcohol in the stomach. The cause of death was hemorrhage of the brain, due to a full or blow when the vessels were probably congested by alcoholic excess. I It was'impossible that the hemorrhage ; could have been caused in any way ex- ; cent bv violence. V. 't, ..„:.! i.„ i ,„;n, Hi.

Dc Henry said he agreed with Dr. FyflVs opinion as to the cause of death. 'Rachacl McNally, wife of the deceased said lier liuslKind nt the time of hti death was 41 years of age. She lwt s<i« her husband at 7.30 on Thursday even ing, 2nd instant, at their residence ir Little l'ipitea-street. He had intendc< to get hia hair cut, hut did not retun that night. McNally had been perfect!; soher ever since, witness's marriage wit! him on 2nd July of la9t year. He hai not complained of being mixed up in an; row. Deceased possessed a watch an chain. Witness recognised the watc! chain, and locket (produced) as her lnu bamVs property, and the watch (pre dueed) was just like that owned by he husband. McNally did not complain ( being unwell before he went out- o Thursday evening. He had a good to: and had worked steadily during tl week, with the exception of the holiday Walter George Smart, pawnbroke stated that the watch, chain, and lock' produced were pawned at. his office b tween 10 and 11 a.m. on Friday h James Sheridan, who was not accoi panicd by anyone and made no repi sentations about the ownership of t' goods pledged. Evidence was given by eye-witness

of the occurrences, mainly on the lines of the information telegraphed on Friday evening. Two witnesses agreed that Sheridan appeared to be looking after McNally. ' Constable Clay, who arrested Shcri- j dan, stated that on the way to the' police station witness cautioned the prisoner (Sheridan), who said: "I never, meant to kill 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. 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 I rail 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 five shillings, ami 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 delivered by Sheridan or by a fall consequent on that blow." -',