Jury chosen for robbery retrial

Press, 9 February 1984, Page 12

Jury chosen for robbery retrial

PA Invercargill Sixteen of the “subtantial” number of witnesses to be called in the trial of Alistair John Barr on a charge of aggravated robbery of the Lumsden branch of the Bank of New Zealand have been heard in the High Court at Invercargill. All exits from the courtroom were guarded or locked when the trial began. People entering the court were searched. Special measures were taken during the empanelling of the jury, Mr Justice Holland addressing all 70 prospective jurors before the ballot was taken and the jury selected. He emphasised the importance of any prospective jurors making known any knowledge they might have

that could prevent them from giving the accused a fair trial. Barr’s first trial was aborted in its second day on November 1 when it was revealed that the forewoman of the jury was the wife of one of the Justices of the Peace who had heard the depositions. After His Honour’s address, 12 persons were excused from jury service and eight women and four men were then enpanelled from 22 persons called. The trial is expected to last at least a week. Barr has pleaded not guilty to a charge of aggravated robbery of the bank on March 17 last year, when $106,722 was stolen by two armed men.