Tasmanian magistrates step back from hearing court case involving Justice Gregory Geason

A temporary magistrate may be required to hear the case of Justice Gregory Geason, a Hobart court has been told. Why Tasmanian magistrates say they won’t determine the matter.

Supreme Court judge Gregory Geason. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE.

A temporary magistrate may have to be installed in Tasmania to hear the case of Justice Gregory Geason, a Hobart court has been told.

Justice Geason appeared by phone in the Hobart Magistrates Court on Tuesday, as his case was called for mention before Deputy Chief Magistrate Michael Daly.

Justice Geason has pleaded not guilty to charges of assault and emotional abuse.

Defence lawyer Fabiano Cangelosi told the court that his client was too unwell to appear in person, and applied to have him phone in to proceedings.

Prosecutor Heather Denton said she had cited Justice Geason’s medical certificate, and did not oppose Mr Cangelosi’s application.

When Justice Geason came online, he spoke to confirm his name and date of birth.

Magistrate Daly informed parties that for professional or personal reasons, or because of the defendant’s high profile, all magistrates of the court had individually determined that they were unable to hear the case when it eventually comes for hearing.

Mr Daly said that included himself, and that under section 4 of the Magistrates Act, a temporary magistrate would have to be sworn in.

The Act states that the Tasmanian Governor may appoint a temporary magistrate “for such period, on such terms, and subject to such conditions” as required by the case.

Mr Cangelosi told Mr Daly that he had been served with a volume of evidence last week, which he would need several weeks to work through.

Mr Daly adjourned the case until 30 April at 10am, and bailed Justice Geason until that date.

Tuesday’s hearing was attended by a large number of journalists, after the media was barred from attending Justice Geason’s initial Magistrates Court appearance in December.

The administrator of courts subsequently apologised, saying the decision had been made “in unusual and unprecedented circumstances”.

Originally published as Tasmanian magistrates step back from hearing court case involving Justice Gregory Geason