THE SILENT WITNESS.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 May 1920, Page 5

THE SILENT WITNESS.

GLADYS BATCHELOR SENT TO GOAL. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, May 19. la the case against James Reynolds Hayne and Norman Neylon, who are Hiarged with having unlawfully used an instrument to procure a miscarriage at Dunedin in September last, which was heard before Mr. Justice Herdman today, the principal Crown witness, Gladys Batchelor, the girl in the case, refused again to give evjdence against accused. The Judge pointed out that her trial at Dunedin on May 12 on the charge of complicity in the offence relieved her •f any danger of incriminating herself. Witnesse refused to answer Mr. Macaasey'a question: "Were you keeping •ompany with Neylon last September?" on the ground that she might incriminate herself on a charge of perjury, If her evidence to-day was not the same M given on previous occasions. Mr, Macassey mentioned that Batchelor had told a full frank story in the lower court and gave truthful evidence in the first trial at Dunedin when the jury disagreed, and reluctant evidence at the second trial, when the jury again disagreed, at Wellington- A change of Venue was procured in February last, and she refused absolutely to speak. Counsel for the Crown submitted that the gfrl had absolutely no reasonable grounds for a refusal.

Mr. Justice Herdman, after warning witness, adjudged her guilty of contempt of jßourt and sentenced her to nine months' imprisonment without hard labor, discharged the jury, and ordered the postponement of the trial of Hayne and Neylon till the next sittings at