MANSLAUGHTER CONVICTION

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29192, 30 April 1960, Page 7

MANSLAUGHTER CONVICTION

Jehu Withdraws Appeal (N.Z Press Association—Copyright) MELBOURNE, April 28. Alvin Leonard Jehu, aged 29. a Jehovah’s Witness found guilty of the manslaughter of his two-day-old son by a General Sessions jury last month, has abandoned his appeal against the conviction. Notice of the withdrawal has' been lodged with the prothonotary of the Supreme Court by Jehu’s solicitors. The child, Stephen Jehu, died in Queen Victoria Hospital on January 5, 1959, after Jehu had refused to consent to an exchange blood transfusion. Doctors and the nursing staff at the hospital told the Court they had informed Jehu that a transfusion was necessary to save the child’s life.

Jehu refused to consent on religious grounds; that Jehovah’s Witnesses regarded transfusions as being forbidden by the Bible. At the trial, he also said that he objected because he was aware of the danger of transfusions. Judge Nelson released Jehu on a £lOO bond to be of good behaviour for five years. Jehu said the verdict would not change his religious beliefs.

The acting Residing minister of the Jehovah’s Witnesses sect in Australia. Mr E. Gosden, said in Sydney today that the decision to withdraw Jehu’s appeal had been made in New York. He said the church’s lawyers in New York had advised there was no point in continuing with the case.