Molong Argus, Fri 3 Feb 1905 1
TOWN TALK.
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In connection with the recent indecent publication case, all the credit of sheeting the disgraceful act home to its author is due to Constable Jenkinson.
When Constable Jenkinson took the case in hand there was very little to work upon, but, eventually, he succeeded in bridging the culprit face to face with his own handwriting and obscene drawings.
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At the Cudal Police Court on Thursday morning a young man named Francis Joseph Fisher was committed for trial at the Orange Quarter Sessions for an unnatural offence. Bail was allowed, self in £80 and one surety of £80. Bail was forthcoming.
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The Leader, Thu 2 Mar 1905 2
QUARTER SESSIONS.
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Wednesday, March 1st, 1905.
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(Before His Honor Judge Docker.)
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The Orange Quarter Sessions opened again this morning at 9 am, Mr Dawson acting as Crown Prosecutor.
The following legal gentlemen were in attendance: Messrs JC McLachlan, S Kearney, MA Casey, HV Millard, and HF McKay.
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ALLEGED BEASTIALITY. [sic]
Francis Joseph Fisher, 19 years of age, was arraigned on a charge of an attempt to commit beastiality.
Mr JC McLachlan appeared for the accused, who pleaded not guilty.
The following jury were empanelled:—Messrs D Ball, J Fitzgerald, A Noble, R Eslick, JS Leeds, W Harris, M Cassidy, A Gartrell, ATS Harrison, W Leonards, CJ Derwent, and T Fitzgerald.
The accused challenged the statutory number of eight jurymen.
All females and males under 21 years of age were ordered out of the Court, or within hearing of the Court.
Senior-Constable Blanchfield, of Cudal, gave evidence for the prosecution, which was mostly unfit for publication, and was very trenchantly cross-examined by Mr McLachlan for fully an hour.
For the defence—
Rev Father Hanley, PP at Molong, gave evidence as regards accused’s character, which was of a high moral standing.
James R Worrall, Cargo, who took the Scotch oath with the left hand placed on the bible, and the right hand extended above his head, gave evidence of good character, and as to taking certain measurements regarding the scene of the alleged crime.
James Fisher, senr, farmer and grazier, Cargo, stated that the accused was his son and would be 20 years of age next month; and gave evidence to the effect that he was present when Mr Worrall took the measurements, and also when the photographs (produced) were taken by a Mr Quick, of Cargo.
William John Fisher, farmer, Cargo, (brother of the accused); Frederick Ryan, farmer, Fairfield; PJ O’Dae, [sic] farmer, Cudal; and EJ Ingham, farmer, Cranbury, also gave evidence as to the taking of measurements.
The accused, on oath, stated he remembered the occasion referred to, and denied any attempt at the offence charged against him.
Senior-Constable Blanchfield was re-called by the Crown.
The depositions having been put in by the Crown as taken at the lower Court, were read by His Honor.
Mr McLachlan then addressed the jury and His Honor summed up, the jury retiring to consider their verdict at 5.30, and returned with a verdict of not guilty. Accused was discharged.
The Court adjourned till 9 am this morning.
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The Western Daily Advocate, Thu 2 Mar 1905 3
QUARTER SESSIONS.
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Wednesday, March 1.
Before Judge Docker.
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A SERIOUS OFFENCE.
Francis Joseph Fisher was charged with a serious offence.
Mr McLachlan appeared for the accused, who pleaded not guilty.
The following were the jury: D Ball, J Fitzgerald, A Noble, R Ezzy, JS Leeds, W Harris, M Cassidy, A Gartrell, ATS Harrison, W Lennox, CJ Derwin, Thos Fitzgerald.
The accused challenged nine jurymen.
Senior-constable Blanchfield was the only witness for the prosecution.
Father Hanley, parish priest at Molong, said he had christened the accused, and had known him all his life. His family was most respectable and he always knew the accused as a moral young man and had never heard anything against him.
James Worrall, miller at Cargo, said the boy was a most respectable young man, as was his family.
James Fisher, senr, father of the accused, said his son would be 20 years of age in April next.
WJ Fisher, brother of the accused, Frederick Ryan, PJ O’Dea, EJ Ingham, and the accused also gave evidence for the defence.
Mr McLachlan addressed the jury at considerable length and the Crown Prosecutor replied.
His Honor summed up and the jury retired at 5.35 pm and returned at 7.35 with a verdict of not guilty.
The jury were then discharged until this morning.
The accused was also discharged, there being no further evidence against him.
1 Molong Argus, (NSW), Fri 3 Feb 1905, p. 1. Emphasis added.
2 The Leader, Thu 2 Mar 1905, p. 3. Emphasis added.
3 The Western Dail Advocate, Thu 2 Mar 1905, p. 3. Emphasis added.