STREET TRAGEDY. CANADIAN SOLDIER WITH THROAT CUT. CORONER'S INQUEST AND A CHARGE OF MURDER

The Borough Coroner (Mr. J. Glenister) held an inquest at the East Sussex Hospital on Saturday evening on the body of the Canadian soldier who met with such a tragic death at St. Leonards on Thursday evening, as reported in our last issue. Among those present were several officers of the Canadian contingent, and Mr. F. James (Chief Constable). After the first witness had given his evidence, the Coroner explained to the Jury, who had appointed Mr. Wm. Dufton their foreman, that the course he proposed to take was, in view of the very serious character of the enquiry, to confine them that evening to just formal evidence, and then adjourn the inquest. Consequently they would not at this stage of the proceedings go into all the details of the case, which, happily, was a very unusual one, but simply take evidence of identification, the admission of deceased to the Hospital, and medical evidence as to cause of death. He was sure their sympathies were with the officers and men in this tragic affair, which had cast a gloom over all those connected with the Contingent. At a later date the witnesses would be recalled, and the whole matter thoroughly enquired into, and the adjournment would allow the Chief Constable an opportunity of putting before them considerably fuller evidence. He suggested that the enquiry should, after production of formal evidence, stand adjourned until Saturday, 6th January, at 2.30 in the afternoon, at the Town Hall. Ernest Albert Caswell Marraton said was Company Sergeant-Major attached to the Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre at St. Leonards. He knew deceased as Luther Algeo, Acting-Corporal in the same Division. According to his attestation papers he was a native of Donegal, Ireland, and attested at Valcartier, Quebec, Canada, on September 23rd, 1914. He was 26 years of age, and had not been wounded, but had seen service abroad. His character was good. His home was at Sydney-avenue, Kildarnon, Winnipeg, Ontario. When he enlisted witness knew he was single. Witness last saw deceased alive between five and seven p.m. on Thursday night, when he was in the Company Orderly Room, 23, Warrior-gardens. and then he was in his usual state of health, which, as far as witness knew, was good. Between 6.45 and eight o'clock on Thursday evening witness heard deceased had been wounded, and later that he was dead, and had been taken to the Hospital, but not which Hospital. Witness did not see him then, but had identified his dead body. Miss M. S. Allen, House Surgeon at the Hospital, said she saw deceased about two minutes after he was brought in by some soldiers on Thursday evening, about 7.55. Witness examined him, and found he was dead. Rigor mortis had not set in, and she concluded he had only been dead a short time. Theodore Adolphus Field, Police Surgeon for the borough, said he examined the body of deceased at the Mortuary in company with the military doctor. A very deep wonnd was found in the throat extending from two and half inches below the right angle of the mouth to one inch behind and one and a half inches below the lobule of the left ear. The wound was seven inches long, and parallel with the lower jaw, and gaped an inch and a half. Another wound in the neck was more superficial, and extended from a point a little to the left of the middle line of the lower jaw above to the centre of the neck over the left sterno mastoed muscle, and a slight bruise over the left eyebrow, probably caused by a blow from a fist. There was an abrasion of the skin on the left side of the knee, which might have been caused by a fall. The first-mentioned wound severed the left side of the the external jugular vein, the sterno mastoed muscle. the internal jugular vein, and several other muscles. The edge of the neck wounds were jagged, and the depth of the neck wound was 1¾ inches. The direction of the first wound was upwards and backwards, extending to the backbone. There was also a wound on the right arm 4½ inches long, gaping an inch, and extended into the biceps muscle. It extended from an inch above the anterior fold of the armpit, downwards and inwards. The main blood vessels were not injured. Deceased was about six feet in height, the body being well developed and well nourished. That day, with Dr. Huckle and a military doctor, witness had made a post-mortem examination, and found that all the organs were normal. There was partly digested food in the stomach, and witness did not notice any smell of alcohol. Death was caused by hemorrhage from the wounds in the neck. Thirteen witnesses and the Jury were then bound over, and the Coroner advised the latter to keep their minds open, no matter what they might hear. Questions would no doubt present themselves, but they would do well not to form any opinion until they reassembled on 6th January and investigated the matter thoroughly. The court then adjourned.