LENGTHY TRIAL

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 269, 12 November 1943, Page 4

LENGTHY TRIAL

CASE OF DR. ISDALE MORE HOSTILE WITNESSES The trial of Dr. George Brownlee Isdale, of Ngaruawahia (Mr. G. Skelton and Mr. A. H. Skelton) on eight counts of alleged illegal use of instruments or other means to procure miscarriage is likely .to last into the first three days of next week Mr. Justice Callan informed the jury engaged in the case in response to an inquiry from the foreman The Crown case, conducted by Mr. V. R. Meredith and Mr. Aekins, was continued to-dayC __ vtnr , A married woman, of Frankton testified that she consulted Dr. Isdale because she thought she waspegnant and underwent an examination under an anaesthetic. After witness had hedged on questions by Mr. Meredith, counsel was given leave to cross-examine hpr ReDlving to questions as to ner evfdence in the lower Court differing from what she now said, the witness said she was all mixed up in the lower Court When she used the word "operation" she thought that meant having chloroform. She had no reason to say in the lower Court anything that was not true,. but admitted now that what she said there was untrue. Witness denied having discussed her evidence with othei witnesses in the case. Police Officer's Wife A married woman, of Auckland, cave evidence of having twice consulted Dr. Isdale about her pregnancy symptoms, and of having been examined under an anaesthetic twice. She paid £35 each time. Each time the doctor said there was the possibility of one of her internal organs being misplaced. She just asked him if he could fix her condition up, but did not ask him to remove a pregWhen the witness was pressed for more accurate replies, her attitude caused counsel to ask that she be declared hostile, the request being granted. Counsel, under cross-exam-ination, admitted that her husband had been a police officer, and he was with her when she gave evidence in the lower Court. She had also had an opportunity of consulting her husband before making a statement at her home to Detective Applin Confronted with the statement she said she didn't take notice of what she was saying at the time. An objection by Mr. G. Skelton against the statement being read was overruled, his Honor holding that it was relevant for use in cross-exam-ination. , Witness continued to protest about what was in the statement. His Honor: I can't see there is much difference between your statement and your evidence here, except on the one important thing, whether you were paying for an abortion or whether you were paying for a misplaced womb. . The witness said that it was for the doctor to fix her condition. (Proceeding.)