Qld: Judge says no conflict in knowing accused MP

AAP General News (Australia)
04-18-2000
Qld: Judge says no conflict in knowing accused MP

Queensland Supreme Court judge BOB DOUGLAS, who will preside over the child sex trial
of former Labor politician BILL D'ARCY, has played down the fact that he knows the accused
socially.

D'ARCY, who is 59, was committed to stand trial on 51 child sex charges including indecent
assaults on boys and girls and three rapes in January this year.

The former deputy speaker in the Queensland parliament has pleaded NOT guilty to all
of the charges after lengthy hearings in the Brisbane Magistrates Court.

All but one of the charges relate to his time as a teacher in state schools from 1961
through to 1975.

The final charge alleged sexual assault occurred in 1974/75 at his home on a 16-year-old
student of his wife, a teacher.

D'ARCY was then a politician.

During a brief mention of the case today, Justice DOUGLAS said he wanted to put it
on public record that he had met D'ARCY socially on two occasions.

But he said he didn't think that mattered because ultimately it was for a jury to decide
on whether D'ARCY was innocent or guilty.

A four-week trial period, beginning October 23, was set today, and would examine 18
of the 51 charges.





D'ARCY resigned from parliament in December last year.

He appeared in court today with his wife of 32 years, LOIS, as well as his three adult children.

He will face another mention of the case next Friday.

(EDS: CHANGES TRIAL DATE FROM OCTOBER 17 IN EARLIER STORY)

AAP RTV smk/sc/msk/jn

KEYWORD: D'ARCY (BRISBANE)

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