Evans v R [2023] NSWCCA 11

Court of Criminal Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Evans v R [2023] NSWCCA 11 Hearing dates: 19 September 2022 Date of orders: 10 February 2023 Decision date: 10 February 2023 Before: Bell CJ at [1] Price J at [9] Lonergan J at [161] Decision: (1) Extend the time for leave to appeal (2) Grant leave to appeal (3) Dismiss the appeal. Catchwords: CRIMINAL LAW - murder – issue at trial was presence of the accused – no directions sought for alternative verdict of manslaughter – tactical decision of trial counsel – two home invasions – coincidence evidence – consumption of ice – intoxication – whether evidence available to support verdict of manslaughter by unlawful and dangerous act – impermissible speculation or conjecture Legislation Cited: Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) ss 18, 27, 86, 112, 421, 428A, 428B, 428C Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act 1985 (NSW) Sch 1 Supreme Court (Criminal Appeal) Rules 2021 (NSW) r 4.15 Cases Cited: Burns v The Queen (2012) 246 CLR 334; 86 ALJR 1097; 2017 A Crim R 501; [2012] HCA 35 Carbone v R [2020] NSWCCA 318 Douglass v R [2020] NSWCCA 284 James v The Queen (2014) 253 CLR 475; 88 ALJR 427; 306 ALR 1; 236 A Crim R 402; [2014] HCA 6 Jones v Great Western Railway Co (1930) 144 LT 194 Lane v R (2013) 241 A Crim R 321; [2013] NSWCCA 317 Luxton v Vines (1952) 85 CLR 352; [1952] ALR 308; [1952] HCA 19 Pemble v The Queen (1971) 124 CLR 107; 45 ALJR 333; [1971] ALR 762; [1971] HCA 20 R v Basanovic (2018) 100 NSWLR 840; [2018] NSWCCA 246 R v Holzer [1968] VR 481 R v Johnson (No 4) [2017] NSWSC 609 R v Kanaan (2005) 157 A Crim R 238; 64 NSWLR 527; [2005] NSWCCA 385 Seltsam Pty Ltd v McGuiness (2002) 49 NSWLR 262; [2000] NSWCA 29 The Queen v Baden-Clay (2016) 258 CLR 308; 90 ALJR 1013; 334 ALR 234; 256 A Crim R 132; [2016] HCA 35 The Queen v Lavender (2005) 222 CLR 67; 218 ALR 521; 155 A Crim R 458; [2005] HCA 37 Wilson v The Queen (1992) 174 CLR 313; 66 ALJR 517; [1992] HCA 31 Xie v R [2022] NSWCCA 185 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Ryan Evans (Applicant) Rex (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: T Woods (Applicant) E Balodis (Respondent)