Marshall Lyle letter, 15 April 1892

Marshall Lyle,
Solicitor.

Sun Buildings,
Corner Bourke and Queen Streets,
Melbourne, 15th April 1892

The Crown Solicitor
Crown Law Offices
Lonsdale St
Melbourne

Dear Sir
I find it utterly impossible
to prepare any defence in the case of
"Baron Swanston", alias Fred. Deeming,
alias "Mad Fred", alias "The Demon", in time
for these sittings in April.

Being fully
alive to the Niagaran torrent of hysteria
which has overcome the Press, the Public
officials, and the People, owing to the
frieks [sic] of this criminal lunatic, and
to the assertion by the Press that the
case must proceed before the defence is
ready, I have been making a legitimate
effort to face the torrent in April, as
I do not care to be snubbed.

However I find it is utterly impossible.

[Page 2]

Marshall Lyle,
Solicitor.

Sun Buildings,
Corner Bourke and Queen Streets,
Melbourne, 15th April 1892

Here I am working all Good Friday,
and imperilling my immortal soul
in order to try and be ready, and
please the Crown.

They say that it is
no use asking you to consent to an
adjournment, as you must oppose it,
in order to maintain the reputation
of the office - for opposing reason, I
presume.

Be that as it may, and
I suppose it would be presumptious [sic]
to suggest reason, where only common
sense is said to sway, I must ask
for an adjournment of the trial.
Every body has gone away on their
holidays, and nobody can be found
who is wanted.

I am not cleverer than
Despim or Lombroso, and when preparing
this defence, they were surrounded by
assistance, and had ample time.
Faithfully,
Marshall Lyle