Published Tuesday, 01 July, 2008 at 07:47 PM
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland
The Honourable Kerry Shine
Shine to Appeal Ferguson Court Decision
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine will appeal a court decision to have charges against convicted paedophile Dennis Raymond Ferguson permanently stayed.
“I have received urgent advice tonight from the Director of Public Prosecutions on whether there are grounds for appeal and I will appeal the decision of the District Court,” Mr Shine said.
“The reasons for the decision are a surprise to me.
“In Queensland I believe accused people do receive a fair trial, I believe that Queensland juries, properly directed by Queensland judges, can arrive at intelligent decisions on the evidence put before them and only the evidence put before them.”
“I am confident the Court of Appeal would agree that in Queensland an accused person is quite capable of receiving a fair trial.”
Mr Shine said he would lodged the appeal tomorrow, however the timing of the hearing would be up to the Court of Appeal.
Media Contact: Troy Davies 3239 6400 or 0488 799 273
“I have received urgent advice tonight from the Director of Public Prosecutions on whether there are grounds for appeal and I will appeal the decision of the District Court,” Mr Shine said.
“The reasons for the decision are a surprise to me.
“In Queensland I believe accused people do receive a fair trial, I believe that Queensland juries, properly directed by Queensland judges, can arrive at intelligent decisions on the evidence put before them and only the evidence put before them.”
“I am confident the Court of Appeal would agree that in Queensland an accused person is quite capable of receiving a fair trial.”
Mr Shine said he would lodged the appeal tomorrow, however the timing of the hearing would be up to the Court of Appeal.
Media Contact: Troy Davies 3239 6400 or 0488 799 273