The Illegal Operation Gases.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 273, 23 May 1896, Page 2

The Illegal Operation Gases.

(Per Press Association.) Wellington, May 22. In the case, Begina v. Annie Brown, the Appeal Court were unanimously of opinion that at common law the coercion of a married woman by her husband in the commission of a criminal act was no defence, unless she committed the act in the presence of her husband and that, interpreting section 21 and 24 of the Criminal Code in view of this, it must be held that section 21 in abolishing presumption of coercion from the presence of the husband, had abolished the special doctrine previously affecting a married woman, and put her in the same position as any other per* son. Consequently, there being no evidence of threats of death or bodily harm, the finding of the jury that accused had been properly convicted as a principal, on the ground of having aided her husband, and: that the evidence objected to had been properly admitted, the conviction was therefore af- - firmed. ._

Mr Jellicoe, who has acted as counsel for Mrs Annie Brown, whose conviction was upheld yesterday, states that he intends to carry the case to the Privy Council at his own expence, and is sending all the necessary papers Home by the s.s. Tainni for that purpose.