NOT GUILTY VERDICT.

Chronicle (Levin), 6 August 1947, Page 5

NOT GUILTY VERDICT.

-Ptess Association'

By Telegraph

AUCKLAND, August 5. _The trial of Louisa Maria CJark, widow, aged 60, on three charges ot unlawfully using an instrument or other means to procure abortion, was eoneluded before Mr. Justice Callan. The offences were alleged to have been eommitted on three diff'erent girls on June 28, 1946, on May 13 and July 1 last, at accused 's home in Herne Bay. Detective Lane said accused had denied all knowledge of the charges against her, Accused had no convictions for any previous criminal oft'enee. No evidenee was called for the defence. Mr. Trimmer pointed out tlial none of the CroWn wittiesses appeared to be -in danger of prosecution. How could the case be ftee -from doubt when it was based on such evidenee, His Honour directed the jury that it ought to consider* each of the three cases separately and advised it td consider first -the case of the girl who was. found in the house and taken away to hospital. If the jtirors were not satisfled of accused 's guiit in that case, he did not see how they could convict in the other two. The evidenee of aecompliees was always to be accepted with the greatest eircumspection and it was dangefous to convict upon it unless it Was corroborated. In this case his 1 Honour drew attention to much of the corroboration of evidenee given by accomplices. After a retireroent of almost two hours the jury returned with a verdict of not guilty and accused was discharged.