Discharge on threat to kill charges

Press, 25 July 1984, Page 4

Discharge on threat to kill charges

A jury trial which began in the District Court on Monday, ended without the jury having to hear any of the case. The defendant, aged 27, had denied six charges of sending letters containing threats to kill a man, and a charge of theft of a stethoscope valued at ?40 from his employer. After the jury was emKlled for the trial on lay morning, Judge Kerr released them until yesterday morning while

legal matters were heard. In the jury’s absence defence counsel (Mr E. Bedo), successfully sought the defendant’s discharge on the six charges of threat to kill, under provisions of section 347 of the Crimes Act. The defendant changed his plea to guilty on the charge of theft of the stethoscope, and was remanded on bail to August 3 for sentence. Interim suppression of the defendant’s name was con-

tinued. The six charges on which he was discharged alleged that he sent to various persons, including local detectives, threats to kill a man. The name of this complainant was suppressed. The six letters were allegedly sent on or about March 13. The theft occurred between August 1 last year, and March 19. A total of 18 witnesses were to have been called by the prosecutor (Mr D. J. L. Saunders).