Evidence refusal allowed

Press, 11 August 1980, Page 4

Evidence refusal allowed

NZPA .Sydney A Sydney law clerk did not have to give evidence before a Melbourne Coroner’s Court on the deaths of drug-ring members, the New Zealand couple, Douglas and Isobel. Wilson, a Supreme Court judge in Melbourne has ruled: - /

Allegations of murder, forgery, and drug’, offences had been made and it would be impossible for. the clerk, Brian William Alexander, to answer questions without incriminating himself,-said Mr Justice Gray, in a decision on Friday. ■ ■

His Honour said there was a long-standing practice that equally applied to the 'Coroner’s Court not to call witnesses who might incriminate themselves. '<

Chief Inspector Paul •: Delianis, of the Melbourne Homicide Squad, who is" assisting the. Coroner (Mr K. Mason, S.M.), had submitted that if Alexander continued to refuse? .to - answer questions at the inquest he would be in contempt of court. The inquest continues into the deaths . of the Wilsons, whose’ bodies were found buried at Rye, hear Melbourne, last year. ■

It has been said at the inquest that the Wilsons were executed because of their betrayal to the Queensland Colice of the drug ring run y Terence Clark, alias Sinclair. / ■

Mr Delianis has: said that another day’s hearing of the inquest into the Wilsons’ deaths had been set down for tomorrow.