Not Guilty of Blackmail and Assault
SEQUEL TO OFFICE QUARREL Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, July 24. The trial of John Leslie Spicer, aged 23, a traveller, on charges of attempting to extort money by threats and of assault was concluded before Mr. Justice Fair in the Supreme Court. Spicer was charged with attempting to black-mail-his previous employer, Alfred Richard Buchanan, and with assaulting Norman Kenneth Sligo. His Honour said the jury would have to consider whether the threat alleged was such as would alarm an ordinary person of reasonably firm mind. If Spicer believed the money was owing to him that would bo a legal defence for demanding it. In general blackmail was a vory serious and grave offence. The verdict on the charges of assault would depend on whose account of what happened they believed. After a retirement of two hours the jury found accused not guilty of any of tfre charges and he row .fifogtergwU '
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Bibliographic details
Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 174, 26 July 1935, Page 11
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157Not Guilty of Blackmail and Assault Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 174, 26 July 1935, Page 11
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