“NOT GIVEN FAIR CHANCE BY POLICE”

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29890, 2 August 1962, Page 15

“NOT GIVEN FAIR CHANCE BY POLICE”

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, Aug. 1. Giving evidence on his own behalf before Mr Justice McGregor in the Supreme Court today on a charge of breaking and entering the Hataitai Post Office on April 29, Vaudrey John Bishop, aged 21, a mechanic, said he had not been given a fair chance by the police to explain why he was found there.

Bishop is jointly charged with Frederick John Williams. aged 25, a cargo worker. Both also face a further charge of car conversion.

Mr W. R. Birks appears for the Crown and Mr J. A Tannahill for Williams Bishop is conducting his own defence.

In reply to Mr Birks. Bishop said that he was the author of a document produced entitled “The Inexpensive Engagement, a short story by V. J. Bishop.” Mr Birks: Is it a short story which glorifies the gentleman criminal, the prince of thieves? Bishop: Yes. Are you associated with a cult concerned with black Mass?—Only a perfunctory interest.

And was it something relating to that cult that led to your parting from Miss James? —I am not associated with any cult. You tell us it was just a coincidence that you happened to be outside the Post Office and just near the broken window within a few minutes of the alarm sound? —I refused to admit that my action that night was anything but normal. Williams said in evidence that he had been in New Zealand about seven months and shared a flat with Bishop. On the afternoon of April 28 they went to a hotel together. There he met an old acquaintance who asked him to a party that night in the Mount Victoria area. Bishop said he would be at the party later to collect Williams. Williams said he was at the party until about 3 a m., when he left on foot and headed towards Oriental Bay. There he was picked up by a constable in a patrol car.

The trial will continue tomorrow.