On 4th April 1900 Charles Spencer paid his bus fare at Roath with a half-sovereign. The conductor, 16 year old Thomas Jenkins had no change. The two argued and when the tram stopped at the terminus, a scuffle started out, ending in Jenkins falling dead to the floor. There were numerous witnesses who all gave different statements, some saying that Spencer had not touched Jenkins. Some said he acted in self-defence, some that Jenkins had challenged Spencer to a fight.
The post-mortem examination found no external injuries, but noted slight bruising to the top of the frontal lobe of the brain and a fractured second vertebra. Both injuries would be enough to cause instant death but also could have been caused by a fall or blow. As there was no consensus of opinion, a verdict of "death by misadventure" was given.