The Dean Conspiracy Case.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 135, 6 December 1895, Page 2

The Dean Conspiracy Case.

[Per Press Association .1 Sydney, Dec. 5. In the conspiracy cases counsel for the defence objected to the admission of evidence explanatory of the AttorneyGeneral's action with reference to Gail's bigamy case. Counsel for the Crown urged that an attack had been made on the AttorneyGeneral, insinuating corruption from a spirit of animus, and an explanation should be allowed in common justice. He could explain everything. Justice Cohen admitted tbat it was only fair that an explanation should be made, but at present he would not admit it as evidence. A long argument ensued on the question of admitting Parliamentary speeches as evidence. Counsel for the defence objected on tbe ground made under Parliamentary privilege. The prosecution contended no such privilege existed in cases like the present, which only covered such matters as slander and libel. His Honor said the point was very important, and while he thought the spgeches of Crick and Meagher were admissable he would take note and consider the objection raised by the defence. For tbe opening of this case it was necessary, said Mr Heydon, on tbe hearing on 31st Oct. at tho Water Police Court. Sydney, after dealing with certain preliminaries, to deal with the state* ment made by Meagher in the Legislative Assembly, Mr Heydon remarked that Crick, who was in Maitland on professional business on the day the statement was made, came down in great haste, saw his partner at the Legislative Assembly, and appeared to have prevailed upon him not to make any state ment. That would be relied on by the Ctoven as being a very extraordinary thing. Why should Crick, if he believed that there was nothing in the story, restrain Meagher, and induce Meagher not to make a statement ? But Crick himself made a statement tbat night, which would be relied upon by the Crown very strongly. He next referred to the subsequent proceedings in the Council and Assembly, with Which people are very familiar, to show that there was a conspiracy between these parties. Dean during the course of these proceedings was at large— a guilty man — and Crick and Mqagher were instrumental in keeping him at large. There was a conspiracy to prevent Dean being punished and, when the matter came to light it would be shown tbat Green, a witness whose evidence was discredited because he was under a charge of bigamy trumped up by Meagher, went over to tbe chemist, Smith, at North Shore, with a view of getting him to hold his tongue. This was briefly an outline of the case for the Crown, and would help the Bench to understand in" what way the evidence which wonlcl be brought forward was material.— Mail.