The tragic death of Mr. Harry Brealey by poisoning himself with morphia the Constitutional Club on Saturday last caused a profound sensation, and this profound sensation, we may add, was further intensified by the verdict given at the inquest of “felo-de-se” on the following Monday. We do not know who the jurymen were, we would rather not know, but to return such an unkind and cruel verdict, almost suggests that they too must have taken leave of their senses. It has since been said by one of the jurymen that he did not know what “felo-de-se” meant or he should not have consented. He might just as well be trying a capital charge, find an innocent man guilty, thinking the accused would not be hanged as to think the verdict in this instance would not be terrible reflection on the memory of the deceased, and be occasioning unnecessary pain and anguish to a grieved mother, brothers, and other relatives. This verdict is a painful illustration as showing the necessity for legal power, for its being challenged and a fresh and more enlightened jury being sworn to retry the case. Fortunately, it seldom occurs that an erroneous verdict is given under such circumstances. By this verdict the relatives have been deprived of legally recovering a hundred pounds from an Insurance Company, and from Club benefits. It is to be hoped, however, that in this instance the Insurance Company and the Club will wink at their rules and pay over the sums morally due to the deceased’s relatives. It is not necessary for us to go into the pros and cons of the case for if any intelligent person will only take the trouble to read the evidence, he will see there was an entire absence of motive so far as pecuniary difficulties, or any other troubles were concerned which could have prompted the deceased to have committed such a rash act. The fact was, he was insane to all intents and purposes and was not at the time responsible for his actions. We remember some years ago a man being brought before the Crediton magistrates charged with attempting to take his life by cutting his throat. When asked for his defence he said he thought he was cutting a rasher of bacon instead of his own throat. Might not the deceased in this instance, being labouring under a similar delusion. We deeply sympathise with the deceased’s mother, brothers, and other relatives, and we believe the Newton public do as well, for he was a sober, intelligent, religious, and consistent young man. From his boyhood upwards he was a member of the Highweek Church Choir, and for many years secretary of the Mid-Devon Constitutional Club, when he resigned for fields fresh and pastures new, he was presented by the members with handsome testimonials. On Sundays, since the death of his revered father, he was in the habit of accompanying his mother to Church, and at home was most devoted in comforting her and lessening her domestic duties, and clerk to Messrs. Pinsent, he was attentive, dutiful, and trustworthy, private life being courteous and obliging to all. he had no enemies. These things only intensify the erroneous verdict given at the inquest.
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Referenced
GRO0911 Devonport: William Swain Pinsent: 1843 – 1920