CHARGE OF MURDER

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLIII, Issue 9787, 1 February 1923, Page 5

CHARGE OF MURDER

NEWLANDS SENSATION.

CASE HEARD AT WELLINGTON".

(Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, January 31. When Daniel Cooper and Martha Elizabeth Cooper appeared in the Magistrate's Court on charges of unlawfully detaining infant children at Newlands, Johnsonville, the Crown Prosecutor asked for a remand until Wednesday, when a charge of murder will be made. A remand was granted, but the Court proceeded with the abortion charges against Daniel Cooper, the first witness being a married woman from Mataura.

A young woman gave evidence that Cooper gave her some pills and later used an instrument, a miscarriage following. She had intended to pay him £5.

Later on a married woman gave evidence that her husband paid Cooper '•£ls 155,. for performing an illegal ' operation. Dr. Gieson said that the instrumenta produced were what one would expect to be used for purposes of abortion. Evidence was given during the afternoon proceedings by former clients of accused with reference to treatment received. One witness related how on two distinct occasions On finding herself in difficulty ghe went to Cooper for assistance. On each occasion operations were performed. ,j The ..husband of the previous witness stated lie was acquainted with accused through having visited him in company with his wife, who had submitted toan 'operation at the hands of Cooper at his oflice in Lambton Quay, Wellington;.!' ~., ii;: • . '. Questioned'by . the police as to the reasons for the visit, witness replied: "It was not my reason at all. I went with my wife because she: wanted to go: Cooper told ine tnMt' the fee would be 15 guineas, or twice that if I did not pay. cash down." The second visit was paid to the premises when the operation was successfully repeated, and the money paid overj' A young married woman furnished several painful interludes, on one occasion almost swooning. She was. Continually weeping when giving evidence. She said that when Cooper called to ,see her on the next occasion he had certain instruments, but the operation was performed at his oflice, as was the case with the last female witness. The second visit resulted in a further operation. Payment was made for treatment at a weekly rate.

The hearing was adjourned until tomorrow.