DEATH OF A WOMAN

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 137, 7 December 1926, Page 12

DEATH OF A WOMAN

CHARGE AGAINST MRS. WYLIE

ALLEGATION OF USING INSTRUMENT. '

The case in which Elizabeth Ann Wylie, alias Nevill, is charged with the use of an instrument on Elsie Davis with intent to-procure miscarriage, was continued in the Supreme Court yesterday, afternoon.

Mr. Justice Alpers was on the Bench, Mr. P. S. Maeassey prosecuted, and Mr. T. M. Wilford,'with him Mr. J. F. B. Stevenson, appeared for the accused.

Dr. S. E. Cattell stated that he was called to Mrs. Davis's at Hataitai on 13th or 14th July, and, found that she was about to have a miscarriage, and ordered her removal to the Hospital, Witness knew the accused, whom he attended professionally between sth and 11th July for influenza. Dr. John Gennick Forsyth, house surgeon at the Wellington Hospital, said Mrs. Davis was admitted at 3 a.m. on 14th July with a septic miscarriage. Dr. Kichard Bowden Martin, also a house surgeon, said Mrs. Davis 'a case was compatible with septic miscarriage. Up to 19th July she progressed satisfactorily, when she was removed at her. own request to the Brougham Street Hospital. She was readmitted to the Public Hospital next day suffering from septicaemia, and the case was referred to Dr. Wilson, the medical superintendent. To Mr. Wilford: There 'Were many causes of abortions. It was possible that a well-developed pleurisy at the bottom of the lung might produce an abortion. A septic condition would be more likely to cause pleurisy than pleurisy to cause a septic condition. He could not swear that an instrument had been used.

To Mr. Maeassey:. He considered Mrs. Davis's condition consistent with the use of an instrument.

Evidence of a post-mortem examination of Mrs. Davis was given by Dr. P. P. Lynch. He stated that the examination showed an acute general peritonitis. General peritonitis, caused by a septic miscarriage/ was the cause of death. .

To Mr. Wilford: There were no signs of laceration, and he could not say that an instrument had been used. To his Honour, witness said that a complete absence of marks was not inconsistent with an instrument having, been used.

Detective Sinclair stated that on 20th July, with Detective Murray, lie visited the accused's house at Lyall Bay. Mrs. Novill denied knowing anybody by the name of Davis, or having had any dealings with a person, of that name. Whca charged, the accused said she fcnew-nothing about it. Mrs. Nevill's house was searched, and a bank book in the name of Nevill was found. It showed that at various times largo sums of money had'been placed to the credit of the accused. At the time of her arrest the bank balance was £600, and the accused had on her £141 19s 10^d. Witness found also a bottle of disinfectant and some cotton wool.

Corroborative- evidence was given by .Detective Murray.

Nora Cochran, single woman, said she became pregnant, and went to Mrs. Nevill, who told her the fee would be £25. She later went to Mrs. Nevill's bedroom, where an instrument was used on her. Witness went to Mrs. Wilson's place in Owen street, which she understood was a nursing home. liater a miscarriage took place. At this stage- the Court adjourned till to-day. ' , ■