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The trial of [[Wombat ranges|Walter Lynch]] farmer, near Mansfield, for sending a letter in the name of the Kelly outlaws to Mr Edward Monk, sawmill proprietor, Wombat, threatening to murder him, was proceeded with yesterday before his Honour Mr Justice Molesworth at the Central Criminal Court. Mr [[Smyth|C A Smyth]] prosecuted for the Crown and Mr O'Leary appeared for the prisoner. Evidence was given as to the circumstances under winch the letter was posted showing that the district was then in a state of great alarm through the murders of the police by the Kelly gang, and that Monk very naturally concluded that his life was threatened. A number of Lynch's signatures were exhibited and also orders which he had written to local storekeepers, and expert witnesses identified the handwriting with that in which the letter to Monk was penned. No evidence was called for the defence. After an hour and a half s deliberation the jury returned a verdict that the prisoner was guilty of writing and sending the letter with a malicious intention. The prisoner was then remanded for sentence.

[[Category:1870s]] [[Category:1879]] [[Category:March 1879]] [[Category:The Argus]] [[Category:Newspaper]] [[Category:press report]] [[Category:1880]] [[Category:Joe Byrne]] [[Category:history]]

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