SLATER CASE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 11 June 1928, Page 8

SLATER CASE.

.FAMOUS TRIAL, RECALLED.. APPEAL AGAINST CONVICTION. (UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION—BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH—COPYRIGHT.) (AUSTRALIAN PRESS ASSOCIATION.) LONDON, June 8. In the court at Edinburgh, where Oscar Slater was condemned to death for the murder of Miss Gilchrist in 1909, an appeal has begun against the conviction of Slt-aer, who was reprieved after he had served 181 years’ imprisonment. Counsel' asked leave to recall Miss Gilchrist’s maid-servant, Helen Lambic, who. before the crime was oom- • mitted, told a former employer that owing to_ Miss Gilchrist’s fear of murder admission to the house was only possible by a signal. She later denied this statement. The Lord Justice General pointed out that Miss Lambie might be dead. Counsel: “T Vo. have information that she is hiding.” Counsel said the police arranged identification by taking Slater handcuffed through a corridor in the presence of witnesses. He also desired to call a woman, who at present he refused to name, who had seen a fugitive leaving Miss Gilchrist’s house. He was also calling Sir Reginald Spilsbury, pathologist to the Home Office, for evidence regarding the description of injuries upon photographs by which Dr. Adams, who was now dead, had opposed the Crown’s case, stating that Miss Gilchrist was murdered with a hammer. The Lord Advocate urged that the case could not be retried, as would result if Slater gave evidence. The court- refused- evidence in the Slater case by Sir Bernard Spilsburv. but permitted Miss Lambie to be called ; also new witnesses, including the woman whose identity has not been divulged, ami Pinkney, a New York prison official, regarding whether witnesses. including Miss Lambie. saw Slater handcuffed at the Tombs prison. It further has permitted the widow of Dr. .Adams to give evidence regarding anything ho said and anv documents lie >efl regarding Miss Gilchrist’s injuries. AA it nesses will he board fin July 9.