The Tamworth Observer and Northern Advertiser, Sat 7 Apr 1877 1
TAMWORTH CIRCUIT COURT.
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TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 1877.
Before Sir James Martin, Chief Justice, and Juries of Twelve.)
Crown Prosecutor—EB Docker, Esq.
The following gentleman of the legal profession were in attendance at the Court:—The Bar: Mr Ellis, Mr Wisdom, Mr Simpson, Mr HC Cohen, and Mr PA Healy. Attorneys: Messrs Tribe and Newman, Mr Smith, Mr Patterson, Mr Bedwell, Mr Dowe,—Tamworth; Mr Hindmarsh, and Mr Ferguson,—Inverell.
Mr Williams acted as Crown Solicitor, and Mr James Martin was the Judge’s Associate.
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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 1877.
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BEASTIALITY [sic]
The witness in this case, William Wright, not appearing, his recognizance was estreated, and the case was postponed until the next Circuit Court, to be holden 1st October.
The Court then adjourned.
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The Tamworth Observer and Northern Advertiser, Sat 6 Oct 1877 2
TAMWORTH CIRCUIT COURT.
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(Before His Honor Sir William Manning, and Juries of Twelve.)
The following professional gentlemen were in attendance:—The Bar: Messrs Rogers (Crown Prosecutor), H Cohen, and – Cansdell. Attorneys: Messrs Wm Smith, T Newman, WF Tribe, C Bedwell. Mr Solicitor Williams represented the Crown.
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4.
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BEASTIALITY [sic]
James Brown was charged with committing an unnatural offence on a mare near Narrabri. He pleaded not guilty, and the Crown asked Mr Cansdell and Mr Smith to defend him. Evidence was given by Patrick Murphy, who witnessed the crime, and Sub-inspector Wright, who arrested him. Just after the case opened, his Honor directed the jury that the evidence was not sufficient to make a capital charge, and they must consider if an attempt had been made. Mr Cansdell prepared as elaborate a defence as the case would allow and made an effective speech on prisoner’s behalf. His Honor dwelt upon the seriousness and repulsive nature of the crime. The jury retired after a few minutes, and returned a verdict on the lesser count, that of attempting to commit an unnatural offence.
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5.
The trials having terminated yesterday, this morning his Honor proceeded to pass sentence on those prisoners that had been remanded.
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James Brown, found guilty of an attempt to commit a beastly crime, said he was not guilty, and had already been in gaol six months. He was sentenced to twelve months’ hard labour in Maitland gaol.
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The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser, Thu 11 Oct 1877 3
TAMWORTH CIRCUIT COURT.
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(Abridged from the Tamworth News.)
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(Before his Honor Sir William Manning.)
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2.
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4.
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James Brown was charged with having on the 21stst January near Narrabri committed bestiality. His Honor withdrew the capital charge and instructed the jury to find on the attempt. He was found guilty of the attempt and remanded fort sentence.
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5.
The following prisoners who had been remanded for sentence, were then called up:—
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James Brown, convicted of attempted bestiality, was sentenced to twelve months’ imprisonment, with hard labour, in Maitland gaol.
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The Singleton Argus and Upper Hunter General Advocate, Wed 17 Oct 1877 4
TAMWORTH CIRCUIT COURT.
Before His Honor Sir William Manning.
The Court occupied several days with the following cases, the results of which we abridge from the Tamworth Observer.
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BESTIALITY.
James Brown, found guilty of an attempt to commit a beastly crime, said he was not guilty, and had already been in gaol for six months. He was sentenced to twelve month’s imprisonment with hard labour in Maitland gaol.
1 The Tamworth Observer and Northern Advertiser, Sat 7 Apr 1877, p. 2. Emphasis added.
2 The Tamworth Observer and Northern Advertiser, Sat 6 Oct 1877, pp. 2, 3. Emphasis added.
3 The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser, Thu 11 Oct 1877, p. 4.
4 The Singleton Argus and Upper Hunter General Advocate, Wed 17 Oct 1877, p. 5.