CHARGES OF MURDER

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 12 June 1942, Page 5

CHARGES OF MURDER

TRIAL OF AMERICAN SOLDIER Melbourne, June 10. After counsel for the defence had moved for a medical examination of Private Edward Leonski, aged 24, the United States Army court-martial today adjourned the hearing of the three charges against him of having murdered Melbourne women No plea was entered by Leonski. Under normal procedure a medical exan ination might take three or four weeks. It will be carried out by a military medical board. The court-martial met in a small hall, to which all the entrances were closely guarded. The public were 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 Commissioner of Police and senior Australian Army officers. The members of the Court were eleven United States officers presided over by a colonel, and ranged down to first lieutenant. Counsel for the defence was provided by the United States army. Leonski having intimated that he did not desire civilian counsel. Leonski did not avail himself of the opportunity of challenging any members of the Court. The three charges were read by the Trial Judge Advocate, whereupon counsel for the defence said it was the intention of the defence to raise the question of the accused’s mental capacity. That should be determined before the accused made his 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 time of the Court it should rule that the procedure set out in the courtmartial manual be followed and a report obtained as to the accused’s mental st it us. The Trial Judge Advocate said the prosecution had no objection, and the motion of counsel for the defence was allowed. The court-martial then adjourned to n date to be fixed by the President. By special arrangements Reuter’s •vorld service in addition to other special sources of information, is used in he compilation of the overseas inteligence published in this issue, and all rights therein in Australia and New Zealand are reserved.