High Court dismisses Ferguson's special leave to appeal

The application by Dennis Ferguson for Special Leave to appeal to the High Court has been dismissed.

Mr Ferguson sought the leave of the High Court after the Attorney-General Kerry Shine successfully appealed an earlier decision of the District Court to permanently stay criminal proceedings in the matter.

It had been argued in the District Court that Mr Ferguson would be unable to get a fair trial due to his degree of notoriety.

The Attorney-General has always maintained that an accused can get a fair trial in Queensland.

"A jury, properly directed by a judge, is capable of coming to a fair decision based solely on the evidence before them," Mr Shine said.

"Queensland juries have a great deal of common sense and maturity. I have every confidence in the jury system and the criminal justice system in Queensland."

"Mr Ferguson’s trial will now be listed for hearing in the same manner as any other criminal trial in Queensland," he said.

Media Contact: Lisa Taylor 32396400 or 0488741689