VERDICT OF ACQUITTAL
ATTEMPTED BLACKMAIL ALLEGED ASSAULT CHARGES FAIL. (Peb United 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 to-day. Spicer was charged with attempting to blackmail his previous employer, Alfred Richard Buchanan, and with assaulting Norman Kenneth Sligo. His Honor said the jury would have to consider whether the threat alleged was such aa would alarm an ordinary person of reasonably firm mind. , If Spicer believed that the money was owing to him, that would be a legal defence for demanding it. In general, blackmail was a very serious and grave offence. The verdict on the charges of assault would depend on whose account of what happened the jury believed. After a retirement of two hours th» jury found the accused not guilty on any of the charges, and he was diacharged.
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Bibliographic details
Otago Daily Times, Issue 22632, 25 July 1935, Page 9
Word Count
162VERDICT OF ACQUITTAL Otago Daily Times, Issue 22632, 25 July 1935, Page 9
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