ALLEGED MANSLAUGHTER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2465, 1 April 1909, Page 3

ALLEGED MANSLAUGHTER.

YOUNG WOMAN BEFORE THE COURT. At the Police Court yesterday before Messrs TV. D. Lysnar and A. H. Wallis, J.P.’s, Pose Iverwin, a domestic servant, was charged jsyitli the manslaughter of her newly-born, female child at Gisborne on March 10th. Sergeant Hutton conducted the prosecution, and stated that the proceedings were brought under secticm 175 of the Crimes Act, which provided (1) that homicide may be either culpable or not culpable; (2)‘ homicide is culpable when it consists in the killing of any person either (a) by an unlawful act, or (b) by an omission without lawful excuse to perform or observe any legal duty, etc. At the suggestion of Sergt. Hutton tlie Bench decided to shorten the proceedings by accepting the depositions of the "witnesses taken at the inquest. Drs. J. Clive Collins, A. P. Coker, Mrs. Loolis, Ida Loohs, Annie Stokes, and Sergt. Hutton confirmed their previous evidence. a In answer to questions by bergt. Hutton and the Bench, Dr. Coker saxl that there was no medical man m attendance on the case. TT hen he first saw accused she was in a very weak distressed condition, and had lest a lot ot W Dr Collins stated after confirming liis , previous evidence, that in his the child would have lived if proper care had been given. He had attended the at a previous confinement. To accused: The rupture of tlie cord did not imply that it was done for the purpose of the birth of the child or for To the Bench: When the child was born both lungs were perfectly healthy, but subsequently became asphyxiated through want of attention. Acbutod -.pleaded not guilty, and reserved her defence. She was committed for trial to the next sittings of the Supreme Court. Bail was allovcd, accused in £ICO,, and two sureties ot £SO each. . ~r . At the conclusion of the hearing, M*. Lysnar expressed the opinion that it appeared to be rather an omission or her duties on the part of accused than the' commission of any act.