DR. M'LEOD'S CASE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 2805, 5 July 1890, Page 6 (Supplement)

DR. M'LEOD'S CASE.

At the Sydney Quarter Sessions on the ISth instant, Dr. John McLeod, who was convicted at tho present sittings some days ago on a charge of bigamy, was brought up for sentence. In answer to the question if ho had anything to say why sentence should not be passed upon linn, ho made a lengthy statement, and recounted the facts which were oticited at the tiial. He had lived in America a number of years, and when ho obtained a divorce in America, after his wife had deserted him in England, he believed he was at liberty to marry again, and when he came to Now Zealand, and subsequently to New South Wales he believed he was innocent of any crime. He asked His Honor to have mercy and pass as light a sentence upon him us he could. His Honor, in commenting upon the case, said that he had postponed passing sentence until the Full Court hnd delivered its judgment upon certain points of law raised at the trial ; but ho was oblieod to pass, sentence to-day, as he had to leavo Sydney. Ho was of opinion that the accused had deceived tho American Court when he obtained the divorce, and that he came to Sydney For the purpose of obtaining money from the lady ho had wronged. The accused's actions involved deceit and fraud, and His Honor could not take a view of his conduct in the light which was suggested. Oaol life would be very hard to a man of his education, but His Honor could not help looking at the fact that he had ruined the lives of two women. The accused was sentenced to throe years' harsl labour in Darliughurst Gaol,