ALLEGED CONSPIRACY.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 830, 31 May 1910, Page 5

ALLEGED CONSPIRACY.

A MELBOURNE CASE. llyTeleeraoh -Prees Associatlon-Ooiiyricnl (Eee. May 30, 9.30 p.m.) Melbourne, Hay 30. The hearing of the conspiracy charge arising out of tho Ronald v. Harper slander action opened to-day. Patrick Hill protested that he had already been tried and sentenced for tho same offence. Mr. Justice Hood and the jury, however, held that Hill had been sentenced for inducing other people to do u wrong act, and tho present indictment was for doing a wrong act himself. He, therefore, stands his trial with the other accused. . A cablegram dated May 23 stated that in tho charges of perjury and conspiracy arising out of the libel action Rev. J. B. Ronald v. Mr. Robert Harper, M.H.R., Patrick Hill was found guilty of conspiracy and was sentenced to imprisonment for five years and nine mouths. Some time ago the Rev. J. B. Ronald sought to recover from Mr. Robert Harper, M.H.R., tho sum of ,£3OOO as damages for alleged slander and libel. The verdict was for defendant, in whose interest various witnesses gave evidence as to the Rev. Mr. Ronald telling filthy stories, etc. A series of charges of conspiracy and perjury was then brought against those concerned in the defence. Summonses were issued against Robert Harper (since discharged) and 'William Harper, merchants, Walter Kemp; and Wil- , liam Brockett, solicitors, Patrick Hill, and John Heatuley, on a charge of conspiring to pervert and defeat the law and justice, and unjustly to influence the verdict of the jury in favour of the defendant in the case. .