Supreme Court Six Youths On Trial On Manslaughter... (Press, 6 May 1964)

Six youths, aged between 15 and 17, are currently on trial at the Supreme Court, facing charges of manslaughter in connection with the death of Charles Arthur Allan Aberhart, which occurred in Hagley Park on January 23, 1964. The trial began with each youth pleading not guilty. The accused are Anthony Dennis O’Connor, 16; Brian Francis Johns, 17; Raymond Clive Neither, 17; Zane Leslie McDonald, 15; Frank Leicester Reynolds, 16; and Roger Malcolm Williams, 17. The Crown is represented by Mr C. M. Roper, who stated that Aberhart was assaulted by the youths, which led to his death. Evidence presented includes that of Mr Cruthers, a cyclist who discovered Aberhart’s body on a grass verge in the park around 10 p.m. that night. An examination by Dr. L. L. Treadgold indicated that Aberhart had died from a brain haemorrhage, with injuries suggesting he was struck while being restrained by the arms. Mr Roper highlighted two unusual circumstances that led to the prompt interviews of the accused on the morning after Aberhart's death. A 1936-model Ford, owned by Williams, was seen parked near the park entrance earlier that evening, noted by Mr Cruthers and another individual, Mr Lamb. When interrogated, all but one of the youths provided written statements, which the jury must consider only as evidence against the individual accused. The Crown argued that the youths had converged on the park with the intention of assaulting a homosexual, a person they referred to derogatorily as "a queer." The prosecution asserted that the events unfolded in a sequence: the decision to go to the park, the identification of Aberhart as a suspected homosexual, luring him to a secluded area, and ultimately the physical assault. Witnesses provided testimony regarding their observations that night. William Gordon Overfield noticed two men under trees, one of whom he identified as Williams. He recalled one man calling for police assistance, while Stanley Russell Francis described being pursued by the group of youths when he was in the park lavatory. Detective-Sergeant A. E. G. Rogers stated that Reynolds indicated in a written confession that the group had gone to the park to explore homosexual activity. The accused Neither admitted to knocking Aberhart to the ground during the altercation and claimed to have taken money from him. The trial is expected to continue through the week, with further evidence being presented. Additionally, a bench warrant was issued for another individual, Albert Edward Leckie, who failed to report to the police as required in relation to a separate charge of indecent assault on a male. Meanwhile, in Auckland, significant rainfall was noted, approaching the total rainfall recorded for the entire month of April.

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