Hit-run inquiry in chaos as lawyer 'forced to quit'

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117...htmlCONFLICTIN
evidence of key police witnesses has thrown the Kapunda Road roya
commission into disarray on the eve of its final day of evidence

The Adelaide inquiry into the police investigation and prosecution o
hit-run lawyer Eugene McGee collapsed at its final hurdle, forcing th
Rann Government to extend the deadline for its report - originally nex
week - by almost a month to July 15.

Evidence given this week by Inspector Jim Carter has challenged th
approach and credibility of major crash investigator Sergeant Da
Hassell, who failed to test McGee for alcohol after he fled the scen
of the 2003 accident that killed cyclist Ian Humphrey.

Inspector Carter said he believed Sergeant Hassell had been with th
major crash unit "too long", and accused the unit of fostering
culture of "taking the easy option" when it came to arresting suspects


Lawyer Rick Halliday, who has represented all the South Australia
police appearing before the commission since it began last month
admitted with "significant regret" that Inspector Carter's explosiv
testimony had made his own position untenable.

"It became apparent ... that there were conflicts between that witnes
and other witnesses which went beyond ... simple differences o
individual perception," Mr Halliday said.

He said he was unable to properly examine or cross-examine eithe
Sergeant Hassell or Inspector Carter, and applied to commissioner Gre
James QC to allow new legal counsel for both officers.

A third police officer, accident reconstruction expert Sergeant Bria
Mills, will also be advised to seek independent counsel.

Mr James said that while the delay would affect the commission'
progress "most adversely", it was important "that those persons of who
there may be criticism by me in the report ... have natural justice".

The developments overshadowed the much-anticipated appearance of th
state's new Director of Public Prosecutions, Stephen Pallaras QC, wh
defended his decision not to appeal against the $3100 fine handed dow
to McGee for failing to stop after the accident. Mr Pallaras, who bega
his term as DPP two days before McGee was sentenced, said the fine wa
the "appropriate penalty", given that judge Terry Worthington had foun
that McGee's judgments were impaired after the accident b
post-traumatic stress disorder

--
LotteBum

LotteBum Wrote:
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117...htmlCONFLICTIN
evidence of key police witnesses has thrown the Kapunda Road roya
commission into disarray on the eve of its final day of evidence

The Adelaide inquiry into the police investigation and prosecution o
hit-run lawyer Eugene McGee collapsed at its final hurdle, forcing th
Rann Government to extend the deadline for its report - originally nex
week - by almost a month to July 15.

Evidence given this week by Inspector Jim Carter has challenged th
approach and credibility of major crash investigator Sergeant Da
Hassell, who failed to test McGee for alcohol after he fled the scen
of the 2003 accident that killed cyclist Ian Humphrey.

Inspector Carter said he believed Sergeant Hassell had been with th
major crash unit "too long", and accused the unit of fostering
culture of "taking the easy option" when it came to arresting suspects



Lawyer Rick Halliday, who has represented all the South Australia
police appearing before the commission since it began last month
admitted with "significant regret" that Inspector Carter's explosiv
testimony had made his own position untenable.

"It became apparent ... that there were conflicts between that witnes
and other witnesses which went beyond ... simple differences o
individual perception," Mr Halliday said.

He said he was unable to properly examine or cross-examine eithe
Sergeant Hassell or Inspector Carter, and applied to commissioner Gre
James QC to allow new legal counsel for both officers.

A third police officer, accident reconstruction expert Sergeant Bria
Mills, will also be advised to seek independent counsel.

Mr James said that while the delay would affect the commission'
progress "most adversely", it was important "that those persons of who
there may be criticism by me in the report ... have natural justice".

The developments overshadowed the much-anticipated appearance of th
state's new Director of Public Prosecutions, Stephen Pallaras QC, wh
defended his decision not to appeal against the $3100 fine handed dow
to McGee for failing to stop after the accident. Mr Pallaras, who bega
his term as DPP two days before McGee was sentenced, said the fine wa
the "appropriate penalty", given that judge Terry Worthington had foun
that McGee's judgments were impaired after the accident b
post-traumatic stress disorder.

JUST LOOK AT THOSE D'WADS COVERING THEIR ASSES! WHAT A LOAD O
****E...... a case of invoking Section 1. of "THE OLD CHUM'S ACT" o
South Australian , if ever there was one :mad

--
rooman

rooman Wrote:
JUST LOOK AT THOSE D'WADS COVERING THEIR ASSES! WHAT A LOAD O
****E...... a case of invoking Section 1. of "THE OLD CHUM'S ACT" o
South Australian , if ever there was one

whadya expect from a state that lodged for separation and was founde
by the Freemason's

--
flyingdutch