SOLICITOR CHARGED.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 203, 27 July 1929, Page 2

SOLICITOR CHARGED.

SERIOUS ALLEGATION. Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, July 26. Before Mr Levvey, S.M., to-day, a solicitor named Charles Stewart Thomas Was charged that, “ on or about April 28, PJ2O, at;Christchurch, he did wilfully attempt to pervert the course of justice in an information against John Boyd Clark, charged with negligently driving' a motor car and causing the death of Maureen Doris Mitchell.” There was a similar charge against Frank Brear Clark. Mr A. C. Hanlon and Mr M. J. Gresson represented the accused. The charge against Thomas was taken first. In opening tho case, the Chief-De-tective said that Thomas had. appeared for Clark. The hearing in the Lower Court was commenced on April 14 and adjourned to enable two witnesses to be brought from the West Coast. These two witnesses left the West Coast on April 27 to give evidence in Christchurch. On the evening before they left Greyjnouth they were approached by a man. On arrival in Christchurch they were met by Thomas at the hotel where they were staying. They, were taken out to Thomas’s motor car and were together for twenty minutes. It was alleged that in the course of the interview Thomas tried to influence their evidence in favour of tlie accused. They told Thomas that they had made statements to tho police and told him what those statements were. At tho hearing in the Lower Court they gave evidence, and the evidence of one of them did not quite come up to the statement to the police. After the hearing in the Lower Court two witnesses, McPlieo and Gordon, stayed for a week for the Supreme Court sitting, and during that week they were communicated with by vTliomas, and on the Saturday before the Supreme Court sitting McPliee went to Thomas’s office and was there for half-an-liour. McPhee would tell the court that during the course of that interview Thomas endeavoured to influence his evidence in several ways! James MePhee, a miner, said that he was in Christchurch on March 31 in company with James "Wilson Gordon. Witness saw an accident at- the Clock Tower corner, tas a result of which Miss Mitchell met her death. Witness proceeded to relate an alleged conversation with Thomas, saying that he asked witness to be a “sport” and give his client a fair hearing. Accused said that it was no use sending Clark for a “stretch” as the girl has gone. Accused tried to bring out sympathy for his client. After the Lower Court hearing Thomas wanted witness to contradict his statement about the number of times the car spun round. Thomas said that, if witness was not sure as to the number of times the car had spun, then he cculd say that the estimate of the speed was exaggerated. Witness refused to alter his statement. Thomas said that if he could do so it would be made worth hie while. "Witness refused point blank and told Thomas, that as far as he was concerned, witness was hostile.