"THE JURY'S SECRET"

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 26 November 1938, Page 6

"THE JURY'S SECRET"

A SENSATIONAL DRAMA

“The Jury’s Secret,” features Kent Taylor, Fay Wray, Larry Blake and Nan Grey. Although the picture shows in its initial scenes the devastation wrought by a great flood, and two intriguing romances are skillfully woven into the production, it is in reality an indictment of methods employed in many murder trials where j the evidence is of a purely circum-1 stantial nature. “The Jury’s Secret” tells the story of Walter Russell, a weak willed but normally honourable man who secretly kills Brandon Williams, a capitalist, in the belief that the financier is a menace both to himself and the city he has been exploiting for years. Hatred recently has been centered on Williams because he opposed a flood control pro-, gramme, and as a result havoc and death visit the community when the river overflows. Russell feels no compunction for his act, until he learns that “Bill” Sheldon, hot headed young champion of the working classes, has been arrested and

charged with the crime, on account of threats he had made against Williams following the flood. Sheldon goes on trial and Russell, after much torment, allows his sweetheart, Linda Ware, to persuade him that he must offer himself for service on the jury. She does not know | that Russell is the murderer but she ! wants him on the jury in order to in* ! sure that Sheldon shall not be “railroaded to the chair.” Sheldon goes on the jury and his mental reactions as the net closes on Sheldon bring many dramatic moments. Even though he is able to force a deadlock in the jury at the conclusion of the trial he is confronted by the terrifying knowledge that Sheldon I will be tried again, and that he will not be on the second jury to save him. Which course shall Russell pursue? Shall he marry the girl he loves and who loves him or shall he confess his I crime and throw himself on the mercy 1 of the court?