DOCTOR CHARGED

Hokitika Guardian, 11 September 1926, Page 2

DOCTOR CHARGED

WELLINGTON, Sept. 9. Hearing was commenced in tlie Magistrate’s Court of the case in which Dr Jacobsen, aged sixty, was charged with inciting Rena Brown to commit uu o If-'lice punishable by hard labour for three yeal's and upwards, viz, to permit the unlawful use of an instrument and other means to procure a miscarriage. The Crown called Frank Albert Maher, who said ho was responsible for the condition of Rena Brown. He asked Jacobsen if he could do anything. Jacobsen said that the matter had gone rather far. He gave him a proscription, saying tli.it if it did not do any. good he should come hack. AA'itness said he had no money. The doctor said, “No, that stops there' till you bring tho money,”—meaning the prescription. The fee was one guinea. Return* ing on the following Saturday night, witness handed this over and received the prescription. AA’itness went on to give details of a further consultation when the prescription failed and being advised to send tlie girl along for examination. Rena Brown, domestic servant, aged eighteen, stated that she went to see Dr Jacobsen at his house. After questioning and examining her, Dr Jacobsen told her that it was too late for medicine to do her any good. If she had come before, lie might have’ been able to do something for her, but be knew of a woman who might do something for her, and lie wrote Mrs Nevill’s address on a piece of paper. As witness was going out. she asked what it would cost to go to Mrs Nevill, and he said £ls to £2O. That night, June 30, witness went to Airs Nevill. After that she went several times to Mrs Nevill. and was eventually caught there by detectives. Her reason for going to Airs Nevilt was to see if she could do anything for her. Mrs Nevill said rhe could, and that it would cost £25. Mr Treadwell objected to the relevancy of this conversation to tho charge of inciting, but his Worship considered that if the conversation were part of the crime incited to it was relevant. Mr Cornish said that as an instrument was not usecj on the girl, there was no question oT accused being implicated in the actual commission of that offence. Tho Alngistrnte (ATr Page) said that the charge was inciting, and subsequent actions of the girl tending towards commission of the crime incited to, and her conversations were relevant to the charge of inciting. AA’itness. questioned by Mr Ala-cassey, .said that Mrs Nevill agreed to perform ail operation as soon as witness had the money. Eventually she got tlie money, but forgot to take it to Airs Nevill oil the occasion she was caught by the detectives. Cross-examined by Afr Cornish, witness said she was really under the impression that tho doctor would be able to do something for her. AA’lien told that be could not, slie asked if it was too late for anything to bo done. H» had told her that it was too late for medicine to do any good, so she had concluded that something could still he done. Did you know that what von were going to do was criminaVy wrong?— No. Are you one of those covered by this indemnity from proceedings?—No. Do you know that no proceedings are to be brought against you?—No. Air Cornish said that in cases such as this, the fact that an indemnity bad been given should be stated Air ATacassey saill that an application had been made to the Arinistor. but tlie witness was not aware of it. Afr Cornish: Dr Jacobsen never told you to go to Airs Nevill?—No; but the doctor gave me her address, and asked me if I knew Lyall Bay at al 1 . lie told me how to get there. After further evidence the Alagistrato said he would give his decision next week. Accused was liberated on hail.