ALLEGED APPROACH TO JURORS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 127, 24 February 1944, Page 4

ALLEGED APPROACH TO JURORS

Man Committed For Trial

In the Magistrates’ Court. Wellington, yesterday, John Barrett, labourer, aged G 4, appeared to answer three charges of wilfully attempting to obstruct, pervert, or defeat the course of justice by trying to persuade jurymen to take a lenient view of an accused in an abortion case, and one charge of attempting to influence a juryman by bribery. Mr. Stout, S.M.. was on the bench; Detective-Sergeant J. Thompson conducted the prosecution, and Mr. F. W. Ongley appeared for accused, who pleaded not guilty. , . , , ~ Thomas Vincent ConnelM2l4 Adelaide Road, said that on Sunday, February 6. he was visited by a man whom he tied as Barrett. The man engaged him in conversation and asked him if he would be on the jury the coming Monday. When witness gave an affirmative reply the visitor said: “Now look here, this is a good woman with two children; she has lost her husband in an accident ant] she was doing those girls a good turn. When witness condemned abortion the man stated that Mrs. Radcliffe had not bad any- deaths. The visitor told Council that if the verdict looked like going against accused. Connell could upset it by saying no. Witness told the man that he would give what, he considered a fair verdict. „ „ , , Bruce lan Cossar, 6 Hawkestone Crescent, said that ho was approached by an elderly- man on Saturday, January t -J. who asked him if he was on the jury. The man said he would make it worth witness’s while “to go his way ’ and produced a considerable sum of money, offering witness £5 The money was refused. Witness said he had recognized Barrett in an identification parade, but was not sure he was the man who had attempted to bribe him. Francis William Elworthy. 14 Brussels Street. Miramar, said he was visited by an elderly man who questioned him regarding his views on the abortion case, and asked if he would sec thnt justice was done to accused. The man stated he was a friend of accused. Witness was unable to identify tho man in a parade. His daughter. Eileen Elworthy, gave evidence. and said that she had seen the map who had visited her father and she identified him as Barre't. Harry Mason Norling. 106 Lonsdale Crescent, said an elderly man had called at his home and ascertained that he was summoned for jury service. The visitor then mentioned the abortion ease. snynnS he was on an errand of mere.v. M hen witness refused to take a sympathetic attitude the man mentioned a girl, presumably connected with the case, and called her a malicious liar. M itness nan failed to identify the man who had spoken to him. ■ Accused reserved bis defence and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Bail was allowed.