Family Ties Prompt Jury Discharge

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.