TRIAL OF DOCTOR

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 24094, 2 November 1943, Page 6

TRIAL OF DOCTOR

CASE FOR THE CROWN CONCLUDED (P.A.) AUCKLAND, November I. The trial of George Brownlee Isdale, aged 51, a medical practitioner, of Ngaruawahla, on seven charges of unlawfully using an instrument or other means to procure miscarriage, was continued before Mr Justice Fair for the fifth day. The Crown’s evidence was concluded to-day No evidence was called by the defence. The Crown Prosecutor (Mr V. R. Meredith) said he was departing from the usual course of not addressing the Jury where no evidence for the defence was called, because the case had somewhat changed its character. It had opened on sworn testimony taken in the Police Court, but many of the witnesses had here given evidence different from that which they had previously given. The witnesses were called to show that this practice was being carried on by accused in a wholesale manner, and to rebut any suggestion that his association with them was the Innocent association of a reputable medical practitioner and a patient There was the common factor that all these women thought themselves to be pregnant, yet did not avail themselves of the advice of medical men near at hand, but trekked, in some cases hundreds of miles, to Ngaruawahia to ascertain, according to their story, whether they were pregnant or not. It was highly significant said Mr Meredith, that some of them were taken by the accused by night far into the country to a house they did not know. The preparations the patients had to make were for something much more than the normal examination alleged. In regard to one of the Crown witnesses whom Mr Meredith was discussing, his Honour said no one would be justified I*. relying on the truth jf her evidence. The only reasonable course, he said, was to put it-aside altogether, because she contradicted herself. The hearing was adjourned.