John Norton’s Libel Action.

Kaikoura Star, 9 October 1906, Page 6

John Norton’s Libel Action.

SLASHING VERDICT FOR THE DEFENDANT. Sydney, Oct. 0. The jury in the Norton-Haynes libel case were locked up for seventeen hours. It was agreed that a majority verdict'should be delivered, and the jury found that Haynes’charges were substantia tod as follows : Wife beating Unanimously. That he became possessed of the newspaper Truth by fraudulent means —Nine to three. Blackmailing—Ten to two. Incitement to erintQ —Nine to three. Gron’s death —Ten to two. The judge, addressing the defendant Haynes, said, “ You are acquitted.” (The action Norton v. Haynes arose out an article which appeared in the Newsletter, a Sydney paper published by Haynes, on .July 13. Serious allegations were made against Norton, and he was accused of blackmailing, obtaining possession of the paper Truth by fraud and conspiracy, cruelty to his wife, inciting to crime, and that a man named Grohn ** died suddenly ” three or four years ago as the result of being struck on the head by Norton with a bottle. The defence was that the statements were true and were published for the public benefit.)