SOLICITOR PROSECUTED

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 725, 26 July 1929, Page 1

SOLICITOR PROSECUTED

Startling Turn in Grave Trial CHRISTCHURCH LEGAL SENSATION Press Association CHRISTCHURCH, Today. A SENSATION has been caused in legal circles in Christchurch by the prosecution of Charles Stewart Thomas, a solicitor, and Frank Brear Clark, the charge stating that they had endeavoured to influence witnesses.

Before Mr. E. C. Levvey, S.M., today, Thomas was charged that “on or about April 28, 1929, at Christchurch, he did wilfully attempt to pervert the course of justice in an information against John Boyd Clark, charged with negligently driving a motor-car and causing the death of Maureen Doris Mitchell.” Ther% was a similar charge against Frank Brear Clark. Mr. A. C. Hanlon and Mr. M. J. Gresson represented accused. The charge against Thomas was taken first. In opening the case the chief detective, said that Thomas appeared for Clark at the hearing in the Lower Court, which was commenced on April 24 and adjourned to enable two witnesses to be brought from the West Coast. These two witnesses left the West Coast on April 27 to give evidence in Christchurch. On the evening before they left Greymouth, continued the chief detective, they were approached by a man, and on their. arrival in Christchurch they were met by Thomas at the Windsor Hotel, where they were staying. They were taken out to Thomas’s home in a motor-car, and were It was alleged that in the course of the interview Thomas tried to influence their evidence in favour of accused. They told Thomas that they had made statements to the police, and told him what those statements were. At the hearing in the Lower Court.

they gave evidence, and the evidence of one of them did not quite come up to the statement to the police. After the hearing in the lower court two witnesses, McPhee and Gordon, stayed a week for the Supreme Courtsitting, and during that week they were communicated with by Thomas, and on Saturday, before the Supreme Court sitting, McPhee went to Thomas’s office, and was there for half an hour. McPhee would tell the court that during the course of that interview Thomas endeavoured to influence his evidence in several ways. James McPhee, a miner, said he was in Christchurch on March 31 in company with James Wilson Gordon. Witness saw the accident at the clock tower corner, as a result of which Miss Mitchell met her death. Witness proceeded to relate alleged conversations with Thomas, saying he asked witness to be a "sport” apd give his client a fair hearing. Accused said that it was no use sending Clark for a “stretch” as the girl was gone. Accused tried to bring out sympathy for his client. After the Lower Court hearing, Thomas wanted witness to contradict his statement about the number of times the car spun round. Thomas said that if witness was not sure as to the number of times the car had spun, then he could say the estimate of speed was exaggerated. Witness refused to alter his statement. Thomas said that, if he could do so. it would be made worth his while. Witness refused point blank and told Thomas that, as far as he was concerned, witness was hostile.

(Proceeding.)