WANTED IN TEXAS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 233, 2 October 1929, Page 8

WANTED IN TEXAS.

CASE OF JOHN GREY.

BAIL OF £6000 GRANTED.

OPPOSED BY THE CROWN

COUNSEL'S ELOQUENT PLEA,

LAND AGENT TO REPORT DAILY.

Alleged to be the man sought by the Texas police for the last 13 years, on a charge of forgery involving a sum of £50,000, John Grey, land agent, of Helensville, who was arrested in that town a week ago under the name of A. B. Grouch, alias J. M. Cameron, was this morning granted bail in the sum of £6000.

When accused appeared at the Police Court last Wednesday, the day after his arrest at Helensville by Detective Sergeant Doyle, Detective Hunt and John R. Bigham, Sheriff of Bell County, Texas, he was remanded until this morning, Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., refusing to allow bail.

Until this morning accused has been in Mount Eden Prison on remand. To-day at the Police Court, before Mr. F. K. Hunt, Mr* V. R. Meredith, Crown Prosecutor, appeared for the police, Mr. G. P. Finlay representing accused. Mr. Finlay made an eloquent plea when he asked that bail be allowed his client. "Now that the furore has died

down, is there a possibility of this man

being allowed bail c'ind. his liberty," said counsel. "Even assuming he is the man, the facts are eloquent in his favour. He is a definite fixture in Helensville, where he has resided for the past 12 years. Accused has considerable property, and has a reputation for being reliable, honest, while his probity is an example. I have here a petition from a number of substantial residents of Helensville, while there are in the courtroom at present representatives or the Heal Estate Association who will say that my client is a man of unquestionable integrity. "N.ow, sir," continued Mr.- "inlay. "In this case we are not expected to do any mote than we would da with one of our own citizens. I doirjt want to see this man victimised. If he were arrested for forgery on one of our own domestic warrants, he would in the natural course, be entitled to bail." Mr. Finlay referred to what he described as "the flamboyant publicity" which accused had got in the newspapers, and said, "If there is any fear that he might get away, it is reduced to a minimum,, for I venture to say that so much publicity he has got by stories and photographs that every man, woman and child knows him well. If he is allowed bail he can be ordered to report himself daily to the police. 'The police force is quite capable of keeping an eye on him. In making this application for bail, I do so in all sincerity, because it is backed by a considerable measure of public opinion. It is absolutely essential, in the interests of justice that we should n have access to accused at all times. I therefore ask for his liberty even if he has to be watched from day to day and no matter what security is fixed." Bail Opposed. Mr. Meredith, after asking that accused be remanded until October 0, said he would oppose the granting of bail. He had listened to what Mr. Finlay had said. "It is quite true that this man has acquired a reputation in Helensville," he said, "but I would like to point out that in America some years ago he was an ardent supporter df his CbVur'chj so it is not surprising that he should earn the same reputation here. This is not an ordinary case of a man arrested on a forgery charge—Crouch is under arrest under-the Fugitives Offender's Act for an offence which it is alleged was committed in a foreign country " Mr. Meredith said Crouch was identified 13 years ago, but he was not apprehended- The world was very wide, and now that Crouch had accumulated property and money, the opportunity of getting away presented itself. Counsel pointed out that the practice in extradition, cases was not to grant bail. In support of t this Mr. Meredith referred to a well-known case on the point. "Bail," said Mr. Meredith, "is a discretion that is carefully and cautiously used."

Mr. Hunt: We have ari obligation to a foreign country. A treaty is involved. Mr. Finiay: No more than to a man of our own country, sit. Mr. Meredith: The circumstances iridi-

cate that this is a case where the great

est of care has to be exercised. No difficulties must be placed in the way. There is an obligation under the Fugitives Offe'riders Act, but it does rio't goto- the extent of doing an injusticesMr. Finlay: My friend is trying to stampede this case from its ordinary position; There is riot the slightest chance of accused going away. There are well-known citizens of Helensville here to go bail for him. He lives next door, to the police constable'. Then y again, he has so iriariy interests here that it Would not pay him to go away.All he ha 3 got has been obtained by the sweat of his brow; He has much business to transact, and his whole business will surely, fail if he is to be further incarcerated for any definite period. Mr. Hunt: When are the papers arriving from Texas? . Mr. Finlay: They are supposed to arrive here on October 7, but we know what that might mean. They may not reach here' for weeks and weeks. Mr. Hunt: After all, this man has been In our midst ior twelve years, and his fellow colonists are prepared to bail him. Under the "circumstances I think he is justified in being allowed bail. He will be remanded until October 9, bail £3000 iri his own surety and. three other sureties each of £ 1000. He will also report to the police at Heiehsvilie daily at 7.30 p.m. For soriie time after bail had been granted, Grey waited in the prisoners' room until his solicitor arranged the bail .bonds. While there he conversed with a number of Helensville friends who came to Auckland to greet him. Accused was bailed by Mr. Arthur John Skeltori, nurseryman, Charles' Staniland West, sawmiller, and Harold FWlhp McLeodj farmer, all of Helensriildj each for £iOOO.