CHARGE OF JURY RIGGING

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17231, 10 April 1930, Page 15

CHARGE OF JURY RIGGING

ALLEGED THREAT POISON IN POCKET SYDNEY, April 2. There was a sensational development in the case of alleged .juryrigging when two men were before the Central Court to-day. Harold Henry Beckman, 43, agent, and Daniel John Davies, 44, engineer, were charged before Mr. Laidlaw, C.S.M., with having, between December 1 and December 31, 1929, conspired together to defeat, the course of justice. The application of the Police Prosecutor, Sergeant Napper, for a remand (ill April 10, was granted. i\tr. Arnold (for Davies), said the men ’s present ball, £looo,' was very high. Detective Smith gave evidence that Beckman was-foreman of a jury which last December heard Davies’ action against a land company. It was alleged that Beckman approached Davies and £3OO later passed from Davies to Beckman. Beckman paid £l5O of this for a car, and the balance into his account. Beckman, it wa.s said, later told a shareholder of the company that if anything was done in the present matter lie would commit suicide. A packet of poison was found in his inside waistcoat pocket. The magistrate: You are afraid he. might commit suicide?—Yes. Beckman: I. have had the poison for a long time; but there is no danger of me committing suicide. The magistrate: Well, the statement you. are alleged to have made 4o the effect that you would take your own life, cou]ded with the fact that poison was found in your pocket, are matters to which i must give some consideration in fixing bail. It is a question whether I should allow you out at all. Detective Smith: He said he had been very close to taking his life. Mr. Laidlaw reduced Davies’ bail to £2OO. This afternoon, Mr. Laidlaw said he had come to the conclusion that it would not be advisable to grant Beckman bail. Both defendants were remanded.