A SERIOUS CHARGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19966, 7 December 1926, Page 10

A SERIOUS CHARGE

WOMAN BEFORE COURT. HEARING AT WELLINGTON. (Special to Daily Times.) WELLINGTON, December C. Before Mr Justice Alpers, in the Supreme Court to-day, Elizabeth Ann Wylie, alias Nevill, a married woman, faced the charge of having, on or about July 11, 1926, unlawfully used upon Elsie Davis a certain instrument, or other means, with intent to procure a miscarriage. The prosecution was conducted bv Mr P. S. K. Macassey, while Mr i. M Wilford, with him Mr J. F. B. Stevcneon, appeared for the accused. Ihe court was cleared. ■ In opening the case for the Crown, Mr Macassey stated that the late Mrs Davis first visited accused on the advice of Hr Jacobsen. It was alleged that on July 11, at accused’s house at Lyall Bay, a certain instrument had been used by accused on Mrs Davis, who later contracted peritonitis, from which she died at the public hospital. ~ His Honor overruled Mr Wilford s objection to evidence being called by tlie Crown to prove a system. Mr Macassey said the evidence was designed’to show that the accused was a professional abortionist, and she .'J as a menace to the community. He said that as a result of her’ activities one woman had died, while two girls had had septic miscarriages, follocved by serious illnesses. His Honor admitted the depositions of Mrs Davis, taken, at the hospital. The detectives who arrested the accused said she had £6OO to her credit in the bank, and £l4l 19s lOJcl actually m her possession. . Medical evidence was given, ana evidence also by deceased’s husband, arc! by a single woman, who admitted having been several times operated on by accused. The case was adjourned till to-morrow morning.