ABETTING ABORTION ALLEGED

Evening Star, Issue 22684, 25 June 1937, Page 1

ABETTING ABORTION ALLEGED

CHARGES AGAINST WOMAN [Per United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, June 24. Charges of aiding and abetting Raymond Grigg in the illegal use of an instrument on a girl aged 19 at Panmure on September 1, and counselling or procuring Raymond Grigg to use an instrument illegally on the same girl on August 25, were preferred aainst a married woman, Dorothy Balcer, aged 33, in the Police Court to-day. Mr Wyvern Wilson, S.M., presided. At the conclusion of the case for the prosecution the accused pleaded not guilty, and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. When counsel made application for a renewal of the accused’s bail the Magistrate said he bad given some thought to the matter, but, owing to the very grave nature of the charges—abortion being one of the most serious crimes in the criminal calendar—and owing to the nature of the facts disclosed by the evidence, he would refuse bail.

Detective Sergeant Walsh said he had been approached by certain witnesses to request that their names should be suppressed, hut this was also refused by the Magistrate. “I. do not think in the interests of justice any portion of the case should lie suppressed,” the Magistrate added. “ Tho terrible nature of the crime should ho brought out.” Tho Magistrate also asked Detective Sergeant Walsh what steps were being taken for tho control of accused’s daughter. The circumstances of her homo life, according to the evidence, suggested that some investigation should bo made. He did not propose dealing with the matter at present, but urged that the police should make inquiries as to whether she was being properly controlled. “ That is being attended to,’’ said Detective Sergeant Walsh. “ She has been living with her mother and stepfather.”