SLATER CASE

Hokitika Guardian, 23 July 1928, Page 1

SLATER CASE

Australian Press Assn.—United Service

LONDON, July 21

The dramatic clearance of Oscar Slater’s name in the same Court in which nineteen years ago lie was sentenced to death (for the murder at 'Edinburgh of Miss Gilchrist) has few parallels in the history of British Justice.

Compensation on a generous scale will be given to Slater, according to competent authorities. Sums varying from fifteen to twenty thousand pounds are mentioned, but at present any figure is merely a speculation.

The Home Secretary and the Secretary for Scotland will hold consultations with the’Law* Officers and other members of the Government before any recommendation is brought. Cabinet newspapers insist that the compensation must bo commensurate with the great agony of Slater, though they unanimously admit that it is almost impossible adequately to compensate Slater.

It is pointed out that Adolphe Beck, who was wrongly sentenced to seven years’ gaol in 1895, was awarded five thousand.

Sir A. Conan Doyle hopes that the responsible officials who refused for years to do anything in the matter will be shortly pulled up. Mr. Ramsay MacDonald states: ‘The whole case fills one with horror. It is clearly the duty of the Government to compensate fully.”

Slater was present in the public gallery, and his sole thought when he realised what the judgment meant, was almost to run from the Court. He listened intently, not betraying any emotion. Resting his head on his left arm as the Lord Justice read the unanimous acquittal, lie kept his piercing gaze on the Judge unfalteringly. It was not till the final paragraphs of the judgment that the decision was apparent. When it finished, Slater stood up suddenly, his face livid with red patches. It seemed that he did not at first realise what it meant. Then he hurried out, brushing aside those trying to congratulate him'