David Zita
davidzita.net
5/10/15
FAMILY TIES PROMPT JURY DISCHARGE
Melbourne Grammar student murder trial due to restart following revelation of family ties
The trial of a former Melbourne Grammar student accused of murder has been aborted.
Victorian Supreme Court Justice Jane Dixon discharged the jury on Monday, the second morning of the trial of the 20-year-old man, after one juror raised concerns over links shared with the family of the defendant.
Justice Dixon agreed with a submission from Crown prosecutor Michele Williams (SC), which requested a discharge of the jury following the revelation of these links.
She told the jury her bailiff had been informed by a juror about a connection with the defendant.
“Although the connection is not a close connection… that can sometimes be problematic when dealing with matters of such importance as a trial of this nature,” she said.
The accused has pleaded not guilty to murdering homeless man Morgan Perry on January 5 last year.
A new jury is expected to be empanelled on Tuesday.
