NOT GUILTY

Evening Star, Issue 24327, 16 October 1942, Page 4

NOT GUILTY

PERJURY CHARGE CONCLUDED The hearing of the charge of perjury against Christopher Arthur Butler, a shunter, was concluded in Ihe Supreme Court yesterday evening before Mr Justice Kennedy, the jury finding the accused not guilty. The charge arose from proceedings in the lower court in connection with a crossing collision between a shunting train and a motor, car, it being alleged that lie gave' false evidence regarding the displaying of lights at the time of the accident. Further evidence was given yesterday afternoon by John Joseph Quin, engine driver, George Stanley Tait, fireman, ami James Wilde, surfaceman, after which Mr C. J. L. White, who appeared for the accused, and Mr J. M. Paterson, for the Crown, addressed the jury, and His Honour dimmed up. , The jury retired at 5.35 p.m., and returned at 9 p.m. with a verdict of not guilty. RAILWAY PORTER CHARGED. The trial of Thomas Cosgriff, a railway porter, on a charge of perjury, was begun late yesterday afternoon. The charge arose out, of Hie same set of circumstances that governed the proceedings against Butler, who was last night found not guilty mi a similar charge, it being alleged that both men gave false evidence at tlie original bearing. Mr T. O'Shea appeared for the accused, and Mr J. M. Paterson prosecuted.' When Hie court resumed this morning, evidence along v the lines of that heard at tile trial of Butler was given. James J. Adam, the driver of Hie ear, under cross-examination, said that he would not deny having said on a previous occasion that it was “ the best part of a minute ” before Butler arrived on the scene after the accident, and not “ fully a minute,” as he now swore. Witness had no positive recollection of having said to the driver: “ I knew you were there; I thought I had time to get over,” but he would not deny it. To Mr Paterson, witness stated that a claim he had made against the Railway Department for damages arising from the collision had been settled. (Proceeding.)