By Andrew L. Urban
Delays for a variety of reasons have stretched the time-line in the latest Sue Neill-Fraser appeal, since the first directions hearing, which was almost exactly a year after the relevant legislation was passed, two and a half years ago.
A winching expert witness (for Neill-Fraser) was unavailable to attend the hearings in October 2017. Since then, police have stated they have new and ‘substantial’ evidence and would call four new witnesses, in addition to cross-examining Detective Shane Sinnitt. It is understood the Crown intends to tender recordings the police seized earlier, through Detective Sinnitt during cross-examination. The footage is for a Seven Network true crime series.
In the Supreme Court, Hobart:
March 2, 2018 – Stephen Gleeson on charge to pervert course of justice, re Neill-Fraser case
March 8 & 9, 2018 – Neill-Fraser leave to appeal hearings continue
March 14, 2018 – Karen Keefe on charge to pervert course of justice, re Neill-Fraser case
March 29, 2018 – Jeffrey Thompson on charge to pervert course of justice, re Neill-Fraser case
EARLIER:
November 7, 2016 – The first directions hearing under the then new legislation re Neill-Fraser case
October 30 – November 1, 2017 – Appeal hearings re Neill-Fraser case begin before Justice Michael Brett
The Tasmanian Criminal Code Amendment (Second or Subsequent Appeal for Fresh and Compelling Evidence) Act 2015 commenced on November 2, 2015 after the Bill received Royal Assent.