A MIS-TRIAL.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19149, 4 November 1927, Page 11

A MIS-TRIAL.

U.S. OIL SCANDAL. JLRY-TAMPERING CHARGES INVESTIGATED. (Br CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPTBIGHT.) AUSTRALIA* A.ND S.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) WASHINGTON, November 2. \ ilr Justice Siddons declared a mis- ; trial in.the Fall-Sinclair ca?e. and dis- | charged the jurv. i The Government counsel thereupon I declared that thev would immediately move for a re-trial, which will prob- ', ably bo held in January. I Mr Justice Siddons made a s' 10 " address when the Court opened, emphasising the gravitv of the charges. He declared that counsel on botn I sides had unanimously agreed that a I mis-trial was the only possible aolui tion. j The Judge further stated that the I wide publicity given to the four aln- ! davits mentioned yesterday, alleging I jury-tampering, furnished an adciiI tionnl reason ior his decision. He also advised a juror named AiaI well of the fact that two of the amj davits made charges involving him, | which ho was at liberty to examine. Sinclair entered the Courtroom I jauntily, smiling. Neither Sinclair nor Fall showed the slightest emotion at ! the decision.

Kidwell remained in the Courtroom when the other jurors left. He was pale and agitated. At first he refused to talk to the reporters, but later he denied the statements attributed to him. Within half an hour after the adjournment Kidwell was called before the Grand Jury, which was sitting in another room investigating the charges. The entire jury will testify before the Grand Jury. The spokesman told the Government counsel that the members of the jury felt that they were placed under a cloud, and wanted vindication.

Counsel replied that the integrity of ten of their number was unquestioned, but disgraceful things had happened, and their help was needed.

[A previous cable message stated that the trial of Albert Fall and Harry Sinclair had again taken a sensational turn and the Court had to investigate charges of. jury-tampering. Four affidavits were filed alleging that a large staff of private detectives had investigated the jurors' personal lives, business, contacts, property, etc., under the direction of Sinclair. One juror was declared to have stated ho expected to get an automobile out of the trial.]