SEEKING TO PROVE SLATER NOT GUILTY OF FAMOUS MURDER

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6632, 11 June 1928, Page 7

SEEKING TO PROVE SLATER NOT GUILTY OF FAMOUS MURDER

Appeal Opens Before Court That Condemned

RECALLING OP WITNESSES PERMITTED

United Press Association--By Blectri* Telegraph—Copyright. Eeceivod Sunday, 5.5 p.m. LONDON, June 8. In the Criminal Appeal Court of Scotland, at Edinburgh, where Oscar Slater was condemned to death for the murder of Miss Gilchrist In 1009, an appeal has begun against the conviction of Slater, who was reprieved after he had served eighteen and a half years.

Counsel asked leave to recall Miss Gilchrist’s maid servant, Helen Lambie, .viio before tho crime told a former employer that owing to. Miss Gilchrist’s fear of murder admission to her house was only possible by signals. She later denied tho statement.

Tho Lord Justice General, the Et. Hon. Lord Clyde, pointed out that Miss Lambio might bo dead. Counsel: “We have information she is hiding.’’

Counsel said that the police had arranged identification taking Slater handcuffed through a corridor in the presence of witnesses. He also desired to call a woman, who at present ho refused to name, who had seen tho fugitive leaving Miss Gilchrist’s house.

Ho was also calling Sir Bernard Spilsbury for evidence regarding the description of injuries, upon the photographs of which Doctor Adams, who was now dead, had opposed the Crown’s case stating that Miss Gilchrist was murdered with a hammer.

Tho Lord Advocate, the Rt. Hon. Wm Watson, urged that tho case could not bo retried as it would result in a reopening if Slater gave evidence. The hearing was adjourned. Later. Tho Court refused the giving of evidence by Sir Bernard Spilsbury, but permitted Miss Lambie to be recalled, also new witnesses including the woman whoso identity has not been divulged, and Pinkney, a Now York official, regarding whether witnesses including Miss Lambic sa>v Slater handcuffed at the Tomb’s prison. It further has permitted the widow of Doctor Adams to give evidence regarding anything ho said and any documents left regarding Miss Gilchrist’s injuries. Witnesses will be heard on July 9. Oscar Slater was convicted by the verdict of an Edinburgh jury (nine to six) in May, 1909, of the murder of an old lady, Miss Marion Gilchrist. Nine jurymen voted guilty, five not proven, and one not guilty. Miss Gilchrist was .about 70 years of ago, and lived alone in apartments in Glasgow with a maid, Miss Helen Lambie, who had been in her employ for some years. She was wealthy, eccentric and bought jewellery largely, -which she kept in her rooms. At the time of her death she had jewellery worth £3OOO put away in her wardrobe. She was found on December 21, 1908, .in her dining room, brutally murdered. Slater was arrested in America and extradited. Ho was sentenced to death, but tho sentence was com-; muted and reduced to one of imprisonment for life. On November 10 last tho Under-Secretary for Scotland, Mayor Walter Eaiott, stated that Slater would bo released on licoi He had served 18J years. A Bill was passed a few days later providing for tho reference of his case to the Criminal Appeal Court of Scotland. The case was remitted to tho Scottish Court on March 14 last by tho Secretary for Scotland, Sir James Gilmour.