At Llandilo petty-sessions on Saturday, before Captain Lewis and Mr.
H. Peel, Thomas Michael, a collier in the employ of the Garnant Company,
Cwmamman, surrendered to his bail in answer to a charge that he unlawfully
caused the death of ten men at the colliery on the 16th January.
Mr. T. G. Williams, Llandilo, appeared to prosecute, and Mr. W. Howell,
Llanelly, defended.
Mr. Williams stated that the charge was brought against Michael on the
ground that he trespassed on the pit's bank, and improperly interfered
with the machinery for lowering the cage. He was instructed to ask for
a further remand so that the case might be got up. The bench had, doubtless,
read the newspaper reports of the inquest on six of the men which had
been held that week, and so were familiar with the evidence to be brought
forward. He would call their attention to the verdict which had been
arrived at.
Mr. Howell said he should oppose the putting in of the verdict unless
the evidence on which the verdict was arrived at was also put in.
Mr. Williams having made a further brief statement of the case against
Michael.
Mr. Howell said he thought the prosecution had been all together too
premature. The matter had been before the coroner, and no doubt the
bench had seen the evidence which had to be brought forward. He thought
that if the prosecution had been well advised, and had known the evidence
which was forthcoming, the case would never have been brought on. Having
regard to the evidence, and especially that of Mr. Wales, he thought
the bench ought not to commit, and there was no reasonable probability
that any jury would convict under the circumstances. With regard to
a further remand, he thought it a hardship upon his client. The case
was before the bench ten days ago, and it was surely a sufficient time
to get up the case, especially as all the evidence had been produced
at the inquest.
Mr Williams urged that two other inquests were yet to be held on the
bodies of men who lived in other districts, and the bench granted a
further remand to a special day, namely, Monday, February 25.