Retrial for Harry Miller

Press, 12 November 1981, Page 4

Retrial for Harry Miller

NZPA-Reuter Sydney The jury in the Harry M. Miller trial was discharged yesterday afternoon after failing to reach a verdict. Mr Justice Roden, in the Central Criminal Court, remanded Miller for retrial at a time and place to be fixed and dispensed with bail. Miller had pleaded not guilty to nine charges relating to the collapsed theatre booking agency, Computicket Australia, Ltd.-’ The charges allege false pretence, publication of fraudulent statements, and

fraudulent inducement to deal in securities. Computicket failed more than two years ago with debts of more than $1 million. Miller, .aged .47, of Forbes Street, Woolloomoolloo, faced nine charges relating to capital investment in Computicket, brought by the New South Wales Attorney-Gen-eral under the Supreme Court Summary Jurisdiction Act. The charges were laid under the Crimes Act and the Securities Industry Act and involve David Jones. Ltd; Myer' Emporium. Ltd;

David Syme and Company, Ltd (publisher of the “Age,” Melbourne); and Efftee Broadcasters Pty, Ltd (Radio 3XY, Melbourne). The Crown alleged that Miller had intended and did divert share capital contributed by 11 investors to his own interests and benefit. The jury of six men and six women advised Mr Justice Roden at 9 a.m. yesterday after a retirement of one and a half days that they were unable to agree on a verdict. His Honour told them that the law provided that they could be discharged after

they had deliberated for six hours. The jury then retired briefly to consider the position and then announced that they would continue their deliberations. At 3.45 p.m. the jury returned to the courtroom and informed his Honour they were unable to agree on a verdict on any of the nine counts against Miller. They were satisfied that further deliberation would not resolve the deadlock. His Honour thanked the jury for their “contribution to the administration of the

criminal jurisdiction in this state.” “In spite of the opportunity offered to you, you decided to work on for more than six hours,” he said. His Honour then discharged the jury and directed that they be excused from jury service for 10 years. For the first time in the six-week trial, Miller remained seated as the juryfiled from the courtroom. He and his wife. Wendy, were obviously relieved at the outcome of the trial, but declined any comment.