SUPREME COURT

Evening Star, Issue 24325, 14 October 1942, Page 5

SUPREME COURT

RAILWAY SHUNTER ON TRIAL PERJURY ALLEGED The trial of Christopher Arthur Butler on a charge of perjury, opened yesterday ,»was continued this morning before Mr Justice Kennedy. Mr J. M. Paterson represented the Crown, while Mr C. J. L. White appeared for the accused, who pleaded not guilty. Butler was charged with committing perjury in judicial proceedings in the Police Court on October 10, 1941, the Crown alleging that he falsely stated, in connection with a collision between a, rake of trucks and a motor- car, that he and a fellow railway employee, Thomas Cosgriff, had been riding on the leading truck with e lighted lantern, whereas in truth and in fact neither of the men was so acting. Mr Paterson said the charge arose out of evidence given by accused when the driver of the car, a dairy farmer, James J. Adam, was charged with attempting to pass over the road while a train was approaching. A collision had occurred between the leading truck in the rake of trucks .end Adam’s car on June 19,' 1941, at Green Island It was a very dark night, and Butler and Cosgriff had stated in evidence during the charge against Adam that they had been riding, one on each corner, on the leading truck. As it reached the roadway the leading truck hit the car, in which Mr and Mrs Adam and a nephew were riding. Evidence would be given, continued Mr Paterson, that there was no light on the truck, and also. that a considerable time elapsed before any railway employee arrived oh the scene. The action in the Police Court had been adjourned and subsequently dropped. Evidence along these lines was then given. The hearing is proceeding. ACQUITTED. The trial of Henry Green on three charges of indecent assault upon females under the age of 16 years was concluded late yesterday ' afternoon. After counsel (Mr 0. G. Stevens) addressed the jury and His Honour summed up, a verdict of not guilty on all counts was returned by the jury after a retirement of 35 minutes.