THE SILENT WITNESS.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 August 1920, Page 6

THE SILENT WITNESS.

GIRL REFUSES EVIDENCE. ANOTHER UNUSUAL PHASE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, August 9. For the fifth time James Hayne and Norman Neylon appeared in the dock in the Supre'me..Court to-day on a charge of using an unlawful fnstrument to procure abortion. Mr. Macassev, for the Crown, after reviewing the case, said that the Crown did not propose to call evidence against Neylon, and the jury might acquit him. Mr. Justice Edwards directed the jury accordingly. Mr, Ma'cassey then asked Neylon to take the witness' stand, which he did with some hesitation. ' In answer to questions, he said he kept company with a girl, Gladys Batchelor, who been me pregnant. He declined .to answer a further question involving Hayne, asking whether he was to understand, that Hayne was being acquitted. The Judge said Hayne tras on his trial. Neylon r.uist understand that a witness! must give evidence if called upon to'do so. He stood to be severely punished if he did not. do so. If. by arrangement with a witness, a person charged with a criminal ofl'ence could escape it would be a monstrous frustration of justice. The witness must answer or take the consequences. The witness asked leave to speak to his solicitor, but the Judge declined. Mr, Fair, who appeared for Neylon, pointed out that the witness might be afraid of incriminating himself. He would like time to consider the nosit ; on. His Honor, in granting an adjournment, said that the witness had nothing to fear. He had been acquitted'that, ho might be able to give evidence without fear. When the case was resumed this afternoon, Neylon deslared that the girl's statements' at earlier trials were 1 ies. Gladys B&tchelor then entered the box, but refused to answer ,anv questions. Th« Judge then adjourned *thc hearing till to-morrow morning. Mr. Wilford mentioned the matter of bail for Hayne, and the Judge repl'od: "T don't suppose he will run away. I don't see how he can run awav. Perhaps. if he did. it would save us a lot of trouble."