Man charged over elderly woman`s death

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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.

"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.

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.

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