THE CASEMENT TRIAL.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 153, 1 July 1916, Page 3

THE CASEMENT TRIAL.

ARGUMENTS BY COUNSEL. THE JUDGE'S SUMMING-UP. London, July 28.. Mr. Sullivan, Casement's counsel, being ill, Mr. Avtenxus Jones concluded the speech for the defence. He endeavoured to explain Casement's change of opinions, and quoted evidence to show that arms were imported as far south as Tralee before the war, for protection against Ulster forces and conscription, and that this army continued after the outbreak of war. The Lord Chief Justice interposed that he would direct the jury that the words "giving aid and comfort to the King's enemies'' meant assisting those enemies in a war with us, by any act tending to strengthen the enemy or weaken this country. The Attorney-General contended itwas irrelevant to refer to controversies not conectcd with present facts. Why did Casement go to Germany, moving about there freely? There was no answer consistent witli innocence. lhconcluded by dwelling on the damning effect of Casement's secret code. Mr. Jones' argument for Casement was that he intended the Irish Brigade to protect. Irishmen against menaces or tyranny of armed forces, not controlled by the Executive Government. The Chief Justice, in summing up, said: "If the prisoner knew that what he did would help the King's enemy, then, although he might have another ulterior motive, he was guilty. If he knew that landing men in Ireland might, produce civil war and embarrass the authorities, he was assisting the enemy." CASEMENT'S STATEMENT. AFTER THE VERDICT. London, June 29. The*. Chief Justice, Continuing hite summing-up, stated that much had been said about Irish i>olities. j£o always felt anxiety about the introduction of political passions jeopardising justice. When such passions were aroused the jury must deal dispassionately and not . pay more attention than was necessary to what was said about Ireland's condition. However deep the gulf might. be between North and South, Ireland, when Avar came, was in union with our forces to resist an attempt upon our Empire. We did not know how the prisoner, during this gigantic and terrible war, came to be in Germany, or for what purpose he was allowed to remain there. After the verdict Casement read a lengthy statement, the burden whereof was that his offence was that he put Ireland first; that he should lie tried by an Irish jury; that lie was entitled 1o be tried by a jury of liisj peers, and that the last, place he really desired to see was England. He spoke emotionally, but firmly. (As already reported, Casement was found guilty and sentenced to death.) When Casement finished, Bailey was placed in the dock and pleaded guilty of treason. The Chief Justice directed the jury to find a verdict of not guilty, and he was discharged. ffi™