ALLEGED FORGERY OF A WILL

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 26, 25 October 1917, Page 9

ALLEGED FORGERY OF A WILL

AN UNUSUAL CASE

ACCUSED COMMUTED FOR TRIAL

The hearing was continued iu the Magistrate's Court yesterday afternoon, beforn Mr. S. B. M'Carlliv, "S.M., nf the caso in. which Gcorgo Harris, a baker, was charged that on or about December ■I, 191G, ho did forgo a document purporting to bo a will signed by ono ,lohn Smith (deceased), a drain-layer, jiiid did utter tho eamo to tho Public Trustee with intent that; it should bo acted upon' as genuine. Mr. I'. S. K. Macassey, of tho Crown Law Oftice, appeared for tho prosecution, and Mr. M. Myers represented the accused.

William Thomas' Mack, of Jenkins and Mack, brassfomiders and slumbers, said he had known the Isto John Smith for about .87 or 38 years, and was his employer for about 21 rears. Ho had never heard Smith epeak of Andrew Morrison or Frederick Fraeer. A few years ago Smith was ill, and whea he returned to work witness suggested to him that he ought to put his all'airs in order, and advised him to go to tho Public Trustee. Ho said ho would, but witness did not know whether Smith did so or not. The accused jiever camo to witness about Smith's -will.

To Mr. Myers: The accused Harris knew nothing of tho conversation that passed between witness and Smith.

Morrison Passmore, clerk to Jenkins and Mack, paid ho had known John Smith for some time. About a, fortnight or three weeks before he died Smith said to ivitness that it was? rime he (Smith) matib a. will, and asked witness what tvas the best; way to go about it. Witness advised him to go to the Public. Trustee. Smith said he would have to attend to the matter one of these days.

Detective Bawle stated that on September 15 last, in company with Detective Andrews, he interviewed the accused .relative to the matter before the Court, and at witness's request accused wrote a copy of tho will, also cop.v of a letter. Witness interviewed Harris again the i-aino dav, and the latter made a statement which was read in court. Harris signed this statement. Accused was arrested on warrant on October 9Hβ then said ho knew nothing of tha forgery of tho will. Witness inadoeihausti'vu inquiries to discovor Morrison and Fraser, who it was alleged had signed the will. Senior-Sergeant Dinnie. of the Criminal Kegistralion Branch, r&vo formal evidence as to photographing certain exhibits. Waltei 1 Dinnic, private inquiry agent and handwriting expert, gave copiou3 details as to tho similarity of the hand-_ ■writing in the will with certain other documents written by the accused. Hβ was clearly of opinion that these were written by ono and tho same person. This concluded tho case for tho prosecution. The accused pleaded not guilty, reserved hie defence, and was committed to tho Slipremo Court for trial. In reserving his defence, the necused stated that the statement ho made to Detectwc Kawle was perfectly true. Hβ knew iiothing of the will till it had reached the Public Trustee. Bail was allmred in .£2OO nnd two sureties of .6100 each.