Murder Charges Against Leonski Adjourned

Northern Advocate, 11 June 1942, Page 4

Murder Charges Against Leonski Adjourned

MELBOURNE, June 10.

After defence counsel had moved for a medical examination of Private Edward Leonski. aged 24, a United States Army Court-Martial today adjourned three charges against Leonski of having murdered Melbourne women. No plea was entered by Leonski. Under normal procedure a medical examination might take three or four weeks and will be carried out by a military medical board.

The court-martial met in a small hall, all entrances of which were closely guarded and the public not admitted. All passes for officials, the Press and witnesses were closely scrutinised.

Members of the court sat at a long trestle table with a big American flag suspended overhead. Official observers included the Police Commissioner (Mr. Duncan), and senior Australian army officers. The members of the court, 11 United States officers, were presided over by a colonel. Other ranks ranged down to first-lieutenant. Defence Counsel Provided Defence counsel was provided by the United States army. Leonski having intimated no desire for a civilian counsel. Leonski did not avail himself of the opportunity of challenging any members of the court. The three charges were read by trial Judge-Advocate, whereupon defence counsel said it was the intention of the defence to raise the question of accused’s mental capacity. That should be determined before making a plea. In view of the seriousness of the charges and the fact that there were a great many witnesses, he recommended that to save the court’s time, the court should rule that the procedure set out in the Court-Martial Manual be followed, and a report obtained on accused’s mental status. The trial Judge-Advocate said the prosecution had no objection to defence counsel's motion being allowed, the court-martial adjourning to a date at the call of the president.