THREATENING TO KILL.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 March 1919, Page 5

THREATENING TO KILL.

ACCUSED COMMITTED FOE TRIAL. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The case of Richard William Martin, foremar. painter, employed by Robert Martin, Ltd., charged with sending a letter through the post threatening to kill Alexander Collins, a storeman employed by the same firm, was heard by Mr. Frazer at the Magistrate's Court Joday. Detective-Sergeant Cox said complainant received an anonymous letter on February 5, stating he would be killed on Brooklyn Heights on February 13. Collins received through the post a box containing chocolates saturated with nitric acid. The package also contained a note telling Collins to give his wife some of the chocolates, and suggesting he should take some himself. Some of Collins' relatives had also received anonymous letters, which -evidently came from the same person as those received by Collins. The various letters, bore a skull and crossbones sign. Collins, in evidence, said he had been receiving anonymous letters for about three years. Allegations were made against his moral character at first, then followed demands for money, after which the terms of the missives became threatening. He had always been on good terms with Martin, and had no reason to suppose the accused would do him any injury. *

Walter Dinnie, handwriting expert, said lie was clearly of opinion that all the documents produce! were written by the same person, but it was obvious efforts had been made to disguise the writing. The handwriting on the anonymous letters was the same as accused's proved handwriting on other documents. The magistrate said that although there was a total absence of motive, and in fact positive evidence of friendship, he must send accused to the Supreme Court for trial, as lie could not ignore the fact there was nitric acid on the chocolates. Bail was renewed in the sum of £IOO.