NEWTH NOT GUILTY.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 August 1920, Page 4

NEWTH NOT GUILTY.

SANSON MOTOR FATALITY. MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE . FAILS. By Telegraph.—Presn Association. Palmerston N., Last Night. The manslaughter charge against Warren Ncwth, arising out of the recent Sanson motor fatality, resulting in three deaths, was concluded yesterday. Further evidence for the defence was given by. au eye-witness named Harris, who volunteered evidenec that he »»w Newth's car approaching fully lighted, while lie deelnred that Eglinton'e ear was not lighted. ' . "! Passengers in Newth'a ear testified that Eglmton had, no lights, and that Newlh travelled at a very moderate pace. None of the occupants saw the approaching car. It was alleged tlttt Kghngton drove on his wrong side of the road, and must have been crossing o»er when the Impact occurred'on a alight bend. In his address conn sol for -the aectned stated that the Crown'* case was entirely disproved. There wae clear evidence that Ncwth drove at a moderate pace, and yet Eglinton averaged greater speed. The police tests were carried out unfairly. The prosecution had based its case purely on a theary which was not sustained by the evidence. , Addressing the jury, the Crown Prosecutor admitted that,if hie,ease depended entirely on whether EgllntOn hail lights at the v time of the collision, it would fail, but the evidence on {.he point was not conclusive. , Nevertheless, with ordinary care, the accused should have seen the approaching car, even if it was i not lighted. The evidence of the eyewitness could not be accepted ae conclusive.

After a retirement of nearly ttao hours the jury returned a verdict of not guilty.