NEW TRIAL ORDERED

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 192, 3 November 1927, Page 1

NEW TRIAL ORDERED

American Court Sensation

Y AND OIL-FRAUD CHARGES

By Cable. — Press Association. — Copyright,

Received 9.5 a.m. WASHINGTON, Wednesday. riGE SIDDONS declared a mis-trial in the Fall-Sinclair case, and discharged the jury. The Government counsel thereupon declared that he would immediately move for a retrial, which will probably be held in January. Judge Siddons made a short address when the Court opened, emphasising the gravity of the charges.

„ declared that the counsel of both unanimously agreed that a decision of mis-trial was the only solution. The Judge further «ed that the wide publicity given to ’“ tour affidavits, alleging tamper- » W jth the jury, furnished an addi--1 reason for his decision. He also advised a juror named Kidell of the fact that two of the affiants made chargs involving him, which he was at liberty to examine. Sinclair entered the court-room jaunty and smiling. Neither Sinclair nor Fall showed the slightest emotion at the decision.

Kldwell remained in the court-room when the other jurors had left. He was pale and agitated. He Srst refused to talk to the rejecters, but later he denied the statements attributed to him. Kldwell was called before the Grand jury within half an hour after the uljournment. It was sitting in another niom investigating the charges. The entire jury will testify before the Grind Jury. The spokesman for the jurors told the Government counsel that they felt they had been placed under a cloud and wanted vindication.

Counsel replied that the integrity of ten of their number was not questioned; but disgraceful things had happened, and their help was needed. —A. and N.Z.

Albert Fall, formerly United States Secretary of the Interior, and Harry Sinclair, are charged with defrauding the Government in connection with the lease of the naval oil reserve of Teapot Dome Yesterday a cablegram from Washington dealt with the charges of jury-tampering. Apparently Kldwell is the juror who was heard to say that he expected "a motorcar as long as the block” out of the trial.