Papurau Newydd Cymru

Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru

Cuddio Rhestr Erthyglau

21 erthygl ar y dudalen hon

AUSPICIOUS DEA.TH OF TWO GIRLS.…

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MONSTER IRONCLADS AND MONSTER…

\ MR. EDISON'S PHONOGRAPH.

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HEADS OF HAIR. j

THE CASE OF THE EARL OF DUN-DONALB.

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NEWS FROM INDIA.1

PRINCE BISMARCK AND LORD ODO…

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THE FATAL FOOTBALL CASE. ]

Newyddion
Dyfynnu
Rhannu

THE FATAL FOOTBALL CASE. ] At the Leicester Assizes (Midland Circuit), before Lord Justice Bramwell, William BrarishrtW was I charged with the manslaughter of Herbert Dockerty, at Ashby-de-la-Zouche, on the 28th of February last. This case arose out of a most unfortunate occurrence at a match between the football clubs of Ashby and Colville, and naturally caused a profound sensation in the neighboirbood of those places. On the 27th of February the deceased was play- ing for the Ashby Club, and the prisoner for Colville. In the course of the game, which was played according to the rules known as the "As- sociation Rules," Dockerty was "dribbling" the ball in the direction of the Ashby goal, when Bradshaw ran to get ttbe ball from him or to prevent his further progress. Dockerty kicked the ball, and Bradshaw, either to charge down Dockerty's kick or by w y of charging Dockerty, jumped in the air, and in coming down struck him with his knee in the stomach. Both players were going at considerable speed at the time of the impact. They met, not directly, but at an angle. Both rolled over. Brad- shaw got up at once, unhurt. Dockerty rose with difficulty, and was led from the grou-d. He died next day, aftfr considerable suffering, the cause of death being a rupture of the intestines. Witnesses were called from both teams, whose evi- dence differed ail to some particulars, those most un- favourable to the prisoner alleging that the ball had been kicked by Dockertyand had passed by Bradshaw before he charged, and that the charge was contrary to the rules of the game, and done in an unfair manner, with the knees protruding while those who were more favourable declared that the kick by Dockerty and the charge by Bradshaw were simul- taneous, and that the charge was a perfectly fair one. The learned judge remarked that it was characteristic of human nature that the most favourable evidence for the prisoner came from his own side in the game, and the least favour- able from their opponents. One of the umpires in the game, named Turner, was called, who deposed that, in his opinion, nothing unfair had been done. A foul had been claimed, and he had decided against it. No doubt, if the prisoner had put up his knee purposely to strike the deceased, it would have been unfair. After a forcible speech for the defence by Mr. Stmma Reeve, witnesses were called who gave the prisoner an excellent character for good nature and humanity. His lordship, in summing up, told the jury that the question was whether the death of the deceased had been caused by the unlawful act of the prisoner. There was no doubt that the prisoner's act had caused the death, and the question was whether that act was unlawful. No rules or practice of any game whatever (said his lordship) can make that lawful which is contrary to the law of the land, and the law says you shall not do that which is likely to cause the death of another. Therefore, in one way, it ma7 8a^ that the rules of the game do not matter. But, on the other hand, if a man is playing according to the law of the game and not going beyond it, it may be reasonable to infer that he is not acting with an intention to hurt, or in a manner which he knows will be likely to be pro- ductive of death or injury. His lordship then pro- ceeded to comment on the evidence, pointing out the discrepancies, and remarked that, considering the speed at which both players were running, it would be safer to consider the kick given to the ball by Dockerty and the jump by the prisoner as simulta- neous. The question was whether the prisoner, when he charged the deceased, knew that his act must do, I or was likely to do, a mischief. The question was not an easy one to deal with. No doubt the game was, in any circumstances, a rough one, but he was unwill- ing to decry the manly sporfcauof this ceuntry, all of which no doubt were attended with more or less danger.. The jury, after a short consultation, found the prisoner not guùty, and at the same time sug- gested & re,orametlaatied that the laws of football should be altered. Lord Justice Bramwell: Well, gentlemen, I do not know. I hardly think I am the person from whom such a recommendation should come. I have never played football, and am not now likely to do so. At the same time, I must say I think it would be as well even for young men to try to make these accidents as little likely to occur as possible.

THE AGRICULTURAL EXHIBITION.

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DAHOMEY IN DEFAULT. ;

BREACH OF PROMISE OF MARRIAGE.

THE BURIALS QUESTION.

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AN IMPOSTOR IN A BATH CHAIR.

THE ENCLOSURE COMMISSION.

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