THE NEVADA STATE JOURNAL

Reno, Nevada, U.S.A.

14 April 1934

(page 2)

‘Black Magic’ Brings Lawsuit for Libel.

LONDON. April 13.—(UP)—Magic black or otherwise, today failed to help Aleister Crowley, author, in his libel action against Miss Nina Hamnett, based on passages in her book, “Laughing Torso.”

The case was decided for the defendant in the suit after lurid testimony which ended suddenly when the jury indicated it had heard sufficient. Justice Swift in addressing the jury commented:

“Never have I heard such dreadful, horrible, blasphemous, abominable stuff as that produced by this man describing him-self as the greatest living poet.”

Crowley’s suit was based on the charge that the book imputed he practiced “black magic.”