Man charged over elderly woman`s death

Man charged over elderly woman`s death

30.03.2008
Share this article:

03/30/2008 Fire damages Hawthorn`s home ground
A FIRE has caused significant damage at Launceston`s York Park, the Tasmanian home of AFL team Hawthorn, early today
03/30/2008 Libs to vote on Coalition merger
A CONTROVERSIAL proposal to merge the conservative parties in Queensland will head the agenda at a meeting of the Liberal Party`s state council in Brisbane tomorrow
03/30/2008 Four fishermen missing at sea
A SEARCH was launched today off Townsville for four men who failed to return from a fishing trip
03/30/2008 Missing fishermen found safe and well
FOUR men who failed to return from a fishing trip in north Queensland have been found safe and well


Font size: +-

Send this article:PrintEmail

Video

Advertisement

Planning a Holiday? - Visit our Europe section for the latest destination offers!
 
NAB Investment Loan.Limited time discounted rate on fixed interest only options.
 
Overflowing with benefitsExperience life the Platinum Way With American Express Platinum
 
Online Auctions Online auctions on a range of big brands. Bid Now! Dontmissout.com.au
 
Tools

  • Norfolk killer Glenn McNeill loses appeal
  • Convicted of murdering Janelle Patton
  • Crime `sickened people of Australia`

GLENN McNeill has failed in his Federal Court bid to have his conviction overturned for murdering Janelle Patton on Norfolk Island.

McNeill, 30, was convicted last March by a Norfolk Island Supreme Court jury of murdering hotel worker Patton on the tiny Australian territory over the 2002 Easter weekend. Ms Patton, 29, was badly battered, with 64 injuries including a broken pelvis and ribs, a fractured skull and scores of slash and stab wounds.

The island`s chief justice, Mark Weinberg, jailed McNeill for at least 18 years, saying the crime shocked the community and sickened the people of Australia.

McNeill appealed his conviction before a three-judge panel of the Federal Court, claiming police had induced his confession by overstating the evidence against him.

His lawyer, Peter Garling SC, argued Justice Weinberg should never have allowed McNeill`s confession to be put before the jury.

McNeill also challenged the judge`s summary to the jury, claiming it may have included preliminary comment on a verdict.

Chief Justice Michael Black and Justices Bruce Lander and Anthony Besanko today dismissed McNeill`s appeal.

"The fact is that the deceased was found wrapped in black plastic which the appellant had clearly touched," the judges said.

"The circumstantial evidence leads almost irresistibly to the inference that the deceased was at some stage in the boot of the appellant`s motor vehicle.

"The appellant has given a frank confession of his involvement in the crime.

"Contrary to the appellant`s submission, the confession contained in the interview is in no way unreliable, but is a damning indictment on the appellant`s crime."

Patton`s parents Ron and Carol embraced one another following the judgment, which was beamed live to the Norfolk Island courthouse and to Lithgow Prison in central western New South Wales where McNeill is being held.

 The New Zealand born chef showed no emotion as judgment was passed.

Ms Patton`s murder was the first on the tiny Pacific island in 150 years, and shocked the 1600-strong community.

In sentencing McNeill to a maximum 24 years, Justice Weinberg said it was "reasonably possible`` he had hit Ms Patton with his car and "panicked``.

 He had put her in the boot of his car and driven her back to his flat, the judge said.

When he realised Ms Patton was still alive, Justice Weinberg said, McNeill had "senselessly attacked`` her, stabbing and hacking at her repeatedly.

- More to follow

NEWS.com.au is not responsible for the content of external sites.

Get desktop alerts for major breaking news events now!

Today`s Top Picks



Font size: +-

Send this article:PrintEmail

Video

Advertisement

Planning a Holiday? - Visit our Europe section for the latest destination offers!
 
NAB Investment Loan.Limited time discounted rate on fixed interest only options.
 
Overflowing with benefitsExperience life the Platinum Way With American Express Platinum
 
Online Auctions Online auctions on a range of big brands. Bid Now! Dontmissout.com.au
 
Tools
Norfolk Island killer loses appeal   05/23/2008
11. 2008
Mo Tu Wd Th Fr Sa Su
12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930


Google


Categories: News Headlines Business News Entertaiment News Hi-tech & Science Sport
Global: Americas Europe Africa Australia Asia Middle East