LOST THEIR NERVE

Stratford Evening Post, Volume II, Issue 221, 15 April 1933, Page 5

LOST THEIR NERVE

Testimony of Companions HOW OGPU WORKED Moscow, April 13—Mr. MacDonald's evidence created a bad impression in the court on account of the discrepancies. Mr. Thornton when called said that he had admitted paying for secret information and bribing employees to overlook defects in Metro-iekers machinery because he was afraid. Asked Why he gave untrue testimony he replied: "Because I had lost my nerve while under arrest and the serious charges made a heavy impression upon me."

The Prosecutor: When did your nerve return?

Mr. Thornton, emphatically: On April 4 at six o'clock, when I was released from prison.

Continuing, he denied that Mr. MacDonald gave him secret information concerning the military platns, aeroplane engines and gun-testing ground. During cross-examination Mr. MacDonald and Mr. Thornton revealed that the alleged testimony of each had been read to tho other. Mr. MacDonald said:. "I was affected by Thornton's testimony in which he said he used me to collect information. I considered it useless for mo to deny it." Mr. Thornton said: "They read me the evidence of Monkhouse and MacDonald, which affected me very much." The question of whose evidence came first was not cleared up.