JURY-SQUARING.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 April 1920, Page 1

JURY-SQUARING.

PUBLIC SCANDAL IN VICTORIA SYDNEY, April 13. The system of “jury-squaring 11 has become so prevalent in Victoria that an agitation is afoot in that State to abolish the jury system of trying persons charged with crimes, and establishing instead a. method of trial by three judges. It is not making much headway, however; the old British trial by jury dies hard, even when it is used to defeat the ends of justice. According to the “Age,” which has published several sensational articles on this subject, there exists in Victoria a complete organisation for the corruption of juries. The organisation is controlled by a .man—the master mind—wiio is equally well known to the people, the members of the underworld, and, in a lesser degree the outside public. Publication of his name would cause a -sensation. Behind him there stretches a highly efficient network, she primary object of which is to secure a perversion of justice—when a sufficiently, large sum is paid. The head of Vho gang has under his direct control a number of agents operating in various suburbs, and through one or other the accused person is approached and asked how much he will pay to have Die jury “rigged.” The police know positively that these things are done—but- everything is carried out so carefully and cunningly that it is almost impossible to secure direct evidence. When the arrangement is made with the criminal, the members of the jury arc deftly approached. There is generally at least one man among twelve who is susceptible to the touch of gold. Presumably aware of tbeir practical immunity from arrest, the efforts of the gang have recently been advanced with brazen effrontery. A reputed wealthy man was arrested on a criminal charge. He was approached by a member of the gang with the suggestion that he could secure freedom at the cost of several hundred pounds. There was another case in which the detectives are convinced that two jurymen were “squared.” Two men, despite a strongly adverse summing-up by the judge, were acquitted, and there is ground for believing that the price of the acquittal was £SOOO. The police, who are positive of the guilt of the two men, say that the bribe actually passed in cash.