A GRAVE CHARGE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 36, 12 February 1925, Page 5

A GRAVE CHARGE.

TELFORD ON TRIAL AGAIN. QUESTION OF IDENTIFICATION. The re-trial of John Frederick Davis Telford, on a charge of rape, or alternatively of attempted rape, was continued to-day before Mr. Justice Reed. His Honor said it was mainly a question of identification. Telford was placed on trial last November, before Mr. Justice Herdman, but during the hearing it was discovered that a relative of accused was on the jury, and it was decided to adjourn the case till the present eeesion. The girl against whom the offence is alleged to have been committed is a deaf mute, whoso evidence was taken by a lip reader. The offence was alleged to have been committed at Grey Lynn, early on the evening of Tuesday, July 20, 1921. The girl stated in evidence that she had been to visit a sick friend, and on returning to her home, soon after 7 p.m., she met Telford and walked along with him. She stated that accused forced her through a fence and acted improperly. Evidence was given 'by thn pirl's mother to the effect thather daughter had complained on returning home that accused had interfered with her. Telford later denied the accusation. Other evidence was given concerning accused's demeanour when asked if lie had seen the girl that night. Mr. Alan Moody repregented accused. The defence is a denial of the charges on the grounds that accused was in other company at the time of the alleged offence. (Proceeding.)