SEQUEL TO DEATH

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 177, 28 July 1944, Page 6

SEQUEL TO DEATH

WOMAN IN DOCK

ILLEGAL OPERATION ALLEGED

Sequel to the death in hospital in March last of a young married woman as the result of a septic tion, Margaret Campbell, aged 64 (Mr. Fraer), stood trial to-day before Mr. Justice Fair and a jury on a charge of the unlawful use of an instrument to procure miscarriage. Mr. V. R. Meredith, for the Crown, impressed on the jury the gravity with which the offence alleged was regarded, especially when sucli operations were done by unskilled persons in unsuitable conditions.

Counsel said evidence would be given that a young married woman whose husband was overseas asked a friend, also a young married woman, "if she could get someone." The latter would say she saw accused, who agreed to go to the other woman's home and do what was wanted for £5. This witness would say accused made the visit and when she was there exhibited an instrument, later being for some time alone with witness' friend. Still later witness saw some money passed over by her friend. Other evidence would show that the alleged patient later had a miscarriage and subsequently died in hospital from septic effects. Accused, when interviewed, denied any knowlege of the house where this alleged woman patient , lived, or of the woman. She also denied having had possession of such instrument as was alleged to have been seen in her hands. Although on social security, accused had about £26 in her handbag. A chemist would say he had sold accused several instruments of the kind referred to.

Evidence was called on the lines of counsel's statement.

No evidence was called for the defence and Mr. Fraer impressed on the jury that there was no direct evidence that an illegal instrument was used by accused or anyone else. Counsel stressed that the only person stating that accused visited the house with a criminal motive was the Crown's chief witness, who was herself a self-confessed accomplice, whose testimony was open to suspicion. (Proceeding.)