Justice Gregory Geason to face July court hearing over common assault and emotional abuse charges

A Supreme Court of Tasmania judge will face a lengthy court hearing over allegations of common assault, and emotional abuse or intimidation. When he is set to return to court >>

Gregory Geason leaves the Hobart Magistrates Court on Tuesday. Picture: Chris Kidd

A Supreme Court of Tasmania judge will face a lengthy court hearing in July over allegations of common assault, and emotional abuse or intimidation.

On Tuesday, Justice Gregory Geason – who has pleaded not guilty to the charges – faced the Hobart Magistrates Court to set down a hearing date.

But the courtroom discussion over just that date was not without controversy, with Justice Geason’s lawyer Fabiano Cangelosi arguing passionately for an October date.

Mr Cangelosi said senior counsel to fight on Justice Geason’s behalf had been appointed back in January, but was not available for a hearing until October this year.

He also said key disclosure – downloaded data from Justice Geason’s phone – had not been supplied to his legal team until the morning of Tuesday’s hearing.

“We made it plain we required that to begin to prepare the defence,” Mr Cangelosi told Magistrate Jackie Hartnett.

He said Tasmania Police had taken a long time to provide the disclosure needed to prepare the defence case.

“While a plea of not guilty was entered some time ago, we have only received the critical evidence that we needed this morning,” Mr Cangelosi said.

“In my submission it is unfair to require a defendant to prepare for trial at this point, when the police have had months.

Gregory Geason leaving court on Tuesday. Picture: Chris Kidd

“In my submission, October is not far, and it is not unusual for courts to accommodate hearings in complex matters.”

Melbourne-based Crown prosecutor Neill Hutton argued October was too far away, and that the July dates “work well for this side of the bar table”.

Ms Harnett agreed.

“You’re entitled to competent counsel, not necessarily counsel of your choice,” she said.

“I’m conscious there’s a need for this matter, as with all matters in this court … to be dealt with as quickly and efficiently as we can.”

The magistrate said she was only conducting the early administration of Justice Geason’s case until the Attorney-General publicly appointed a temporary, interstate magistrate to preside over the hearing.

Ms Hartnett said all Tasmanian magistrates, “including me”, were unable to sit on the case.

She said the Attorney-General’s appointment time frames also meant a July hearing was more appropriate – and that she was “not at liberty” to reveal the identity of the temporary magistrate at this time.

Justice Geason did not respond to questions from media as he quickly left the court after the hearing, swiftly entering the passenger side of a black car that had pulled over to collect him.

The matter will return to court for mention on June 5, when the temporary magistrate’s identity will be revealed, before a hearing date of July 15 to 23.

Justice Geason is the first Tasmanian judge to be charged with criminal offences in Tasmania’s two-century colonial history.

According to particulars previously released by the court, Justice Geason has been charged with common assault for allegedly “grabbing (a woman) by the arms and squeezing, shaking her and striking her chest with your hand”.

The redacted particulars also revealed Justice Geason was charged with emotional abuse or intimidation for allegedly tracking a person’s movements using technology, scrutinising a person’s electronic devices and reviewing her messages, subjecting her to verbal abuse, and pressuring them to sign a contract of sale on a home.

Justice Geason has been on leave from his judicial role since November last year.

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Originally published as Justice Gregory Geason to face July court hearing over common assault and emotional abuse charges