SERIOUS CHARGES

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 59, 7 September 1926, Page 10

SERIOUS CHARGES

AGAINST MARRIED WOMAN

IMMUNITY OF A WITNESS.

Elizabeth Ann Wylie, alias Nevill, a married woman, aged 49, appeared in the Magistrate's Court again to-day, when the hearing of the charges against her of unlawfully using an instrument on three women, with intent to procure a certain result, was continued before Mr. E. Page, B.M. The Court was cleared. Chief-Detective Ward conducted the prosecution for Mr. P. S. K. Macassey, who was unable to appear. Mr. J. F. B. Stevenson represented the accused. Allan Manguson, an hotelkeeper, aged 62, who admitted that he was responsible for the condition of Ella Sylvia Hush, a previous witness, gave evidence of having made arrangements for her to have an illegal operation performed upon her by the accused. Mr. Stevenson: "You know that for assisting in this illegal crime you are liable to <( be arrested yourself?"— "Yea." "Before you gave evidence in the first case, did you know that you need not give evidence to incriminate yourself without an indemnity from the police or the Crown?"—"l didn't know that, but I knew I could not be forced to give evidence. I "Have you or any solicitor instructed by you received any undertaking from the Crown about your position in this matter?"—"Not that I know of." Witness said that he had taken legal advice before he came to Wellington from Aromono, and also before he first gave evidence. Mr. Stevenson: "Are you giving this evidence to-day to escape possible arrest?" — No." "Then, purely of your own free will, you are giving evidence against a woman whom, you say, you asked to assist you?" — I was given to understand that the police knew what I was going to say" Mr. Page (to witness): "Do you expect to ( be prosecuted?"— "J don't know, sir" „.You.w ere advised you need not give this evidence, were you not?"—"So far as I knew I thought I was compelled to do it. Mr. Page (to the Chief Detective): "If, as counsel for the accused has suggested such an undertaking has been given, I think it should be stated. There are cases on record where this has been done, mi.* he Attorney-General has allowed it." ihe Chief Detective: "An application has been made." Evidence was also given by Detective i rank Sinclair, after which the- accused pleaded not guilty, reserved her defence, and. was committed to the Supreme Court for trial on the three charges. Bail in the sum of £300, with two sureties of £150 each, was renewed.