ANONYMOUS LETTERS

Stratford Evening Post, Volume I, Issue 74, 6 March 1931, Page 7

ANONYMOUS LETTERS

SENT TO A JUDGE. ADJOURNMENT OF A TRIAL. At the Supreme Court at Townsville, Queensland, recently, William Shepherd was charged with having unlawfully received Commonwealth bonds valued at £3270 and £B7 10s lid In cash, which had been stolen. Before calling for the jury, Mr Justice Douglas stated that he had received Information that attempts were being made or had been made to interfere with the jurors. An anonymous communication had been received by him, the purpose of which, as far as he could see, was to create in his mind a prejudice against the prisoner. "In fairness to the prisoner/* said his Honour, "it must be stated thalt he has not approached any juryman." Continuing, his Honour said that on arrival at the court he had found himself favoured with another anony mous communication from the "Black Hand," wherein a threat was made to him. He gravely doubted whether It would be possible at the present time for the prisoner to obtain a fair trial in Townsville, and he had decided to adjourn the trial to Brisbane on April 30.