THE TROUBLESOME DEATH OF JOSEPH RILEY - SHEFFIELD 1922
MAN'S DEATH UNDER ARREST.
ALLEGATION AGAINST SHEFFIELD POLICEMAN
The Manchester Guardian dated 2 March 1922 carried the following brief report
"Serious allegations against a policeman were made at the inquest at Sheffield yesterday on Joseph Riley of Albert Road Sheffield who died on Friday while under arrest. A woman alleged that a policeman held Riley's throat with one hand and knelt on his stomach. The policeman hit her in the eye with his whistle because she was trying to help Riley up. There are 16 witnesses. The inquest was adjourned until today.
The following day the same newspaper reported
There seems to be something not quite right in this report. Dr Macrae THOUGHT that the FATAL injury was caused when the man fell with his wife outside the house. In other words it occurred whilst the police were effecting an arrest by restraining and overpowering Riley. In which case the police involved would surely have case to answer given that the fatal injury occurred whilst he was under arrest.
But the jury look as though they totally disregarded Dr Macrae's view on the fatal injury. Instead they stated that the FATAL injury was the result of a fall on a tramcar platform incurred whilst he was endeavouring to escape from police custody. In other words, the FATAL injury was solely the direct result of Joseph Riley's actions in trying to avoid capture or rather re-capture. In other words he only had himself to blame.
I am going to try and see if I can find out anymore information about this incident, because as it stands, the verdict of the jury looks rather "suspect"
Joseph was laid to rest in Sheffield's City Road Cemetery the day after the verdict was returned
Riley, Joseph (Miner, age 24).
Died at Royal Infirmary; Buried on March 3, 1922 in Roman Catholic ground;
Grave Number 1545, Section LL of City Road Cemetery, Sheffield.
Sources
Manchester Guardian dated 2 March 1922
Manchester Guardian dated 3 March 1922
This page was last updated on 25/03/13 11:50