SLATER RELEASED.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19160, 17 November 1927, Page 9

SLATER RELEASED.

FAMOUS MURDER CASE. (BT CABLJt—PBSSS ASSOCIATIOH—•COftBICHM.I (MJSTBALIUt iXD m.Z- AKD STO CIBM.) LONDON, November 15. Oscar Slater has been released from Peterhead Prison. He declared that he was not saying anything about the case at present. He had friends who believed in him, and he would try their faith. ... Mr Ramsay Mac Donald stated that he hoped the authorities would recognise the unsatisfactory state in which the case was left, and grant an enquiry into it. In the House of Commons, asked whether he intended to institute an enquiry into the case, the Rt. Hon. Sir John Gilmour (Secretary of Stabs for Scotland) replied -that if a conviction had occurred since October, 1926, he would have been empowered to submit it to the Court of Criminal Appeal. He was willing, if necessary, to make such legislation, if obtainable, to refer only to the Slater case. Only a single-clause Bill would be necessary, but it could not be passed during the present session, except without discussion. The Government would welcome any effort in this direction. [Slater, a German Jew, was convicted in Glasgow 18 years ago for the murder of a Miss Gilchrist. The j"ry pronounced him guilty by a majority of only nine to six, and many influential people have since been working to secure his release. The evidence against Slater was circumstantial, and charges were made against the Glasgow police of having used questionable methods to obtain a conviction.] BILL TO BE INTRODUCED. (Received November 16th, 11.45 p.m.) LONDON, November 16. Sir John GiLnour, Secretary for Scotland, is introducing immediately a single clause Bill to cover the Slater case. All parties have agreed to offer no opposition.