“SUSPICION ONLY.”

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19945, 23 July 1936, Page 8

“SUSPICION ONLY.”

._.___ THEFT OHARGI FAILS. i _.__ i MODEL AEROPLANE CASE. (By Telegraph—Press association.) PALMERSTON N., \‘Vednesday. Directed by Mr Justice Blair at the conclusion 01' the Crown‘s case to rc—turn a verdict of not guilty, the jury nearing the charge of theft against John Edward Owens. an American. aged 41. in the Supreme court. to-da). acted accordingly. Accused had been charged with stealing at Palmerston North a model aeroplane valued at £3O. the property or Mrs lsobel Dora McGregor. The chief witness, Mrs McGresor. the widow of Squadron-Leader M. O. .\lcGregor, stated that accused called at her house and said he was “Mr Uwens, of the Knickerbocker Hospital," and a cousin of Captain Roscoe Turner, the American aviator. He further represented that he was connected with the American wrestlers at present. in New Zealanci, and said they were prepared to stage a benefit bout. for her and Mrs Fraser, Widow of “Scotty” Fraser. the paraohu’tlst. He asked for photographs or her husband. and she arranged to get copies from a friend. Accused was to return and collect them. Accused returned at 10 o‘clock. and said he could not wait. He asked if he could take away for the purpose of obtaining a photograph a model 01' a 1).“. 86 airliner. She con—sented. accused promising to return} it later that. morning. The model was ; returned by H. (J. Walker. who had‘ been eo—pilot with her husband in the Melbourne Centenary air race. After further evidence Ilis Honour said: "So far as this case is concerned, it is at the most a case of suspicion, There are circumstances about it which are distinctly in accused's favour."