DEATH OF WOMAN

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16807, 21 November 1928, Page 9

DEATH OF WOMAN

INDEMNITY FOE WITNESS

UNUSUAL INCIDENT AT INQUEST

(Per Press Association,) ALUCKLAND, last night. This afternoon when the inquest touching the death of Freda Helen Clark, 29, Who was found dead at the home oi' Nurse Colnett, Williamson avenue, on November 1, was resumed before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., as coroner, the proceedings took an unusual turn. Deceased was employed in the office of the Te Aroba Borough Council. Chief Detective Hammond represented the police, while Mr. Singer watched the interests of deceased’s relatives. \tyhen Mrs. Doris Dannefeard, sister of deceased, went into the box to give evidence Mr. Singer said he proposed to ask that this witness should not be asked certain questions. This arose just as the chief detective had produced a letter, and asked Mrs. Dannefeard whether she wrote it to her sister. “Now, now, now,” said,the coroner, “I'in not going to have the witness in the box directed by counsel. Mr. Singer: I would like to say The coroner (to witness) : Leave the ,room. ' After' Mrs. Dannefeard had left the court Mr. Singer suggested that the object of asking witness certain questions was the prosecution of someone. It might tend! to expose witness as a party to an offence. “It is your duty as coroner to warn witnesses that they need not answer certain questions. She must be entitled by law to say: ‘You cannot ! make me begin to incriminate myself to help to forge the chain of evidence.’ ” The coroner: My interests are in the public. Counsel: • No, sir, you are the coroner and you must warn witnesses. ' Mr. Singer then quoted several authorities in support of his contention. The coroner: If the, police give this witness an indetnnity against prosecution:, what have yon to say to that? .ir, ‘Well, then, if an indemnity is given I’ Would not need to advise her. The danger is over,” said Mr. Singer. Chief Detective Hammond: Here we have a young woman who comes as a

stranger to Auckland from Te Arohu. She is found dead in a house, and wo cannot get particulars. Before the police arrive at the house a .solicitor is there. The police were not informed until 50 minutes after the doctor was told. The solicitor advises her to adopt a certain course. We don’t mind that so much, but it is your Worship’s duty as coroner to ascertain what caused this young woman’s death. If the witness gives a truthful account of what happened we’ll give her an indemnity. Mr. Singer ; It’s preposterous. Who’s to give that indemnity? Your Worship is not in a position to do so Your Worship’s duty, is to tell this woman that she is not to answer certain questions. The coroner: My duty is to determine how deceased met , her death. I am assured by the police that an indemnity will be granted, and I will tell Mrs. Dannefeard that she will not bo prosecuted. Mr. Singer: You have no right to say that. That’s rubbish. ’.The coroner: I will stand this case down for half an hour, and send for the Crown solicitor. We will have this done properly. Subsequently the coroner' announced that the inquest would be adjourned until 9 o'clock to-mornJw morning.