ANONYMOUS LETTERS
THREAT 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 thafr 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 that he has not approached any juryman.” Continuing, his Honour said that on arrival at the court he had found himself favoured with another anonymous 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,
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TDN19310227.2.30
Bibliographic details
Taranaki Daily News, 27 February 1931, Page 5
Word Count
183ANONYMOUS LETTERS Taranaki Daily News, 27 February 1931, Page 5
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