ALLEGED BLACKMAIL

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 6138, 19 February 1907, Page 2

ALLEGED BLACKMAIL

BBiOSNAHJAN ON TEIAB. .MMiQIDiRiAMA OF A GITT BANE. A right-of-way oft Old Customhouse street, one of'tho back lanos in the old dilapidated part of the city between Victoria street and Manners street, was the scone of the principal incident of a case brought before Air Justice Cooper in the Supremo Court yesterday. Patrick Francis lirosnahan was charged with extorting money from Edgar Hyde by means of threats of criminal proceedings. Air Gully prosecuted on behalf of the Grown. Mr A. B. Herdman was counsel for tho defence. The jury elected Air L. H. B. Wilson foreman. _ In opening his case. Air Gully said the charge practically resolved itself into this; —First of all a threatening letter was written by accused on November sth; at an interview on November Oth throats of a similar class were made by word of mouth; and on November 25th also oral threats were repeated bv accused to Hyde, with the object of extorting money. Throughout the correspondence and both of these interviews the blackmailing threat was a threat that Hyde would be accused of the crime of forging a Post-Office order for £lO, which was alleged to have been sent by a Airs Cave to a man named Withers. Bong before the offence was alleged to have been committed, Withers had left the colony. That was important, because part of the alleged attempt to levy blackmail on Hyde bad depended on representations that Withers had returned. Tho principal witness for the prosecution ‘was J'ldgar Hyde, builder and contractor, of Bower Hutt. His evidence was similar to that given in the Bower Court. Under cross-examination, witness

said he would not deny that he had bought sections at Johnsonville, and afterwards sold them to Mrs Cave at a Xirofit of £lO3. George King, labourer, gave corroborative evidence regarding the last interview. Pizzi was also called, but did not appear. Mr Hcrdm'an outlined his doienec. He said Brosnalian carried on m a small way tho business of an accountant, Brosnalian had been instructed to investigate Mrs Cave’s affairs. It was in carrying out this investigation that accused had to interview Hyde. Counsel thought he would convince the jury that there was nothing criminal or improper in Brosnahan’s dealings. Accused would go into the box and swear that there was no threat of criminal proceedings, and that his proposal to Hyde was that Hyde should pay off his debts in instalments of £2 a week. Mrs Elizabeth Cave gave evidence. Accused, Patrick "Francis Brosnahan, said he was an accountant. On June 32nd, 1906, he was instructed by Mrs Cave to investigate her affairs. In interviews with witness, Hyde had offered to pay certain amounts if witness would prevent Mrs Gave taking action against him. During the interview in Old Customhouse street on November 27th witness and Hyde were not within 150 ft of Hyde’s or Rizzis premises. Hyde, who had tears m his eyes, had said to witness, “If you can souare Withers for anything under £IOO/I’ll give you a tenner; and TH pay £2 a week till the amount is paid off.' 5 Witness rcnlied that he would not take the £lO. That was a matter between Hyde and Mrs Cave. Ho would, however, try to get Withers to roduoe his claim to £IOO or less. Wilder cross-examination, witness said ho had been instructed by Mrs Gave to hand certain papers to ChiefDetective McGrath, if Hyde would not come to a settlement.

The iury, after two hours* deliberation, returned a verdict of not guilty. Tho prisoner was discharged-