NEWLANDS CASE

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 26, 31 January 1923, Page 6

NEWLANDS CASE

THE COOPERS CHARGED

prosecutor announces a ; „.::.: .change .

SEQUEL TO NEWLANDS AFFAIR.

- "I ask for a remand in these c^ses until next Wednesday. A charge of murder -will then be made against these accused."-

This was the brief but sensational «&tement made by Mr. P. S. K. Macas«e.y in the Magistrate's Court to-day in appearing as Crown Prosecutor in the cues against Daniel Richard Cooper and Martha Elizabeth Cooper. The. Coopers ■were caHed jointly to answer four charges oC unlawfully detaining infant children, the dates of the alleged offences being 23fd November, 1922, 20th December, 1920, 31st November, 1922, and ,20th August, 1922. The charges arose out of; sensational happenings at a house at Newlands, just out of Johnsonville. Mr. C. A. L. Treadwell and Mr. J. Maule appeared for the male accused, arid Mr. P. W. Jackson for the female accused. ■ ' Mr. Treadwell said that it had been hii intention.to press for bail, but that oobrse would be useless in view of the Crown's intention to bring a murder charge against the accused. The remand was granted. Both the accused appeared to receive Mr. Macassey's statement quite calmly, although it 'was stated later that the male accused Was not in good health. * CHARGES AGAINST COOPER, .The trial of the male accused on the otfier charees was then proceeded with, Seiiior-Detective Lewis appearing for the Crown. There were seven charges against Copper of illegally usin<r:an instrument on* certain women with intent to procure a miscarriage, two of attempting to swjiply wptnen with certain noxious things, and one of doing a certain act with, intent to procure a miscarriage. On the application of Mr. Lewis, the Court was cleared during the hearing of evidence, and witnesses were also ordered'from the Court until called upon. Mr. Lewis suggested that the Magistrate should,. direct that the names of the female witnesses should not be published. . v - Mr. E. Page, S.M., who was on the bench, «aid he thought that it was desirable that ■ the names should be suppressed, he could make . no order in that direction. ; A MIDDLE-AGED WOMAN. The first witness said that she resided at Mataura She had known the accused for about five years, and the remark had been made that he was a doctor. Cooper had prescribed for her husband and had done him a lot of good in the way of treating and dieting him. Witness wrote to the accused on 13th December, thanking him for his kindness. Other letters were produced, and one of them bore the wo;rds in the corner: "Please burn this." Mr. Treadwell: "I take it that all these letters will be traced to. the poßseslion of the accused?" , Mr. Lewis: "Evidence will be led to ttiat effect." , Continuing; the witness said that in acsordance with instructions from the accused she had taken a certain liquid, but this had had no effect. Accused also said that if witness likec^ she could meet him by appointment, provided she paid the'oexpenses. To 'Mr. Treadwell: "She had been married; for; 26 j>ears, and" had nine children." James Scott M'Laurin, Dominion Andyst,. gave the result of his analysis of certain liquids (produced). PROTECTION OF WITNESSES. The next witness called was a young She entered the Courtroom weeping, and counsel for the accused suggested that she was not a willing witness. -Mr. Page: "Why unwilling?" Mr. Treadwell said that it often happened in cases of this sort that a woman hesitated in giving evidence that might incriminate her. Mr. Lewis said that there was no need for 1 a woman to give incriminating evidence. The Minister of Justice had forwarded a letter to the head of the Police Department recommending that provided (he.witnesses gave a full and truthful account of their evidence there should be no; prosecution. Tie Magistrate decided to call the wit-ness^a»d^ruled"-thafc she might be asked my question the Senior Detective thought fit." H"""~—"-—■•■■■ ■ , . • • The witness than gave evidence relating to a miscarriage. Witness said that she was going to pay the accused £5 yrhea she had the money. Mr. Treadwell said he would reserve the- cross-examination of the witness. Another married woman living in Wellington was next called. She, said she met the accused in January of last year and asked him if he conld do a certain act. 1 She saw him in his office in Lamb r 'ton-quay. Cooper said he could do what! y-as requested, and he carried out an operation at his room. Her husband .went with her on a second occasion and paid Cooper fifteen gnineas. Dr. Ernest William Giesen, practising • in Willis street, Wellington, explained the* use of various instruments, which, he said, were what one would expect to b« 'used for the purposes of abortion.

... (Proceeding.)