GIRL AND STAGE ARTIST.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 115, 14 May 1920, Page 4

GIRL AND STAGE ARTIST.

ACCUSED SENT FOR TRIAL. The case in which Franklin John Smith (24), vaudeville artist, was charged with the rape of a girl of 17 years, was continued before Mr. J. E. Wilson, S.M., yesterday afternoon. The girl, in conclusion of the story of having been induced by accused to go to a house in Vincent Street, where she alleged the offence occurred, stated that after her treatment by accused and two comparfions ahe was allowed to leave, and went away about 9 p.m. She said accused accompanied her as far as Hobson Street and then left 'her. She went to the diningrooms where a girl friend Worked and told her what had happened, and thereafter went to her Aunt's house, and complained to her. Under cross-examina-tion by Mr. A. Moody (for accused) the girl admitted that she smoked cigarettes occasionally, and had one at the house. She also admitted that there had been a certain amount of lovemakihg by accused, to which she did not object, prior to the offence alleged. At the time that she was struggling and afterwards she heard people talking and singing in the adjoining room, she said, but she added that she was too frightened to call for help. After corroborative evidence of the complaint and of circumstances that supported the girl's statement had been given, accused pleaded not guilty, and was committed to the Supreme- Court for trial. Bail was allowed in one surety of £200.