The Wellington Conspiracy Case.

Thames Star, Volume XIII, Issue 4339, 27 November 1882, Page 2

The Wellington Conspiracy Case.

Adams Acquitted,

[Pbb Pbess Association.]

Wellington, This day,

At the Appeal Court to day, judgment was given io the Adams conspiracy case. Judge Johnston gaid the case was one of great importance, and came before the Court under embarrassing oircumstanees, As the jury found defendants guilty, their Honors were bound to assume for the purposes.of this case that the charge against Longhurst was a false one, and moreover that the circumstances proved were sufficient to prove a charge of conspiracy, if the girl had arrived at a legftl age of discretion,

The specified question reserved for the Court of appeal to determine was whether the learned judge ought not to have directed an acquittal of both defendants on the ground that the child was in law incapable of conspiring as alleged in the first court of indictment. He held that it was repulsive to common sense to believe that the child conspired, confederated and combined with her lather to commit the crime, and he was therefore of opinion oh the whole that there was no evidence incorporated in the case reserved, which satisfied the requirements of the law regarding the rebuttal of prima facie . presumption of innocence which applied to children between 4 the ages , of 7 and 14. He thought the learned' Judge ought to have told the Jury that there was no such evidence before them as would justify them according to law in finding that prima facie presumptive ; innocence must be rebutted, and accordingly the •convickioa ought to be quashed. Judges Giiiies and Williams were also of opinion that the child was incapable of conspiring, and that the. -; Judge should have directed an acquittal of both prisoners. ' The conviction ..was- ■ thereupon quashed, and this brought the Crown cases reserved to a conclusion.