R v Hawkins; R v Garland [2023] NSWSC 1201

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: R v Hawkins; R v Garland [2023] NSWSC 1201 Hearing dates: 3, 4 October 2023 Date of orders: 9 October 2023 Decision date: 09 October 2023 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: Hamill J Decision: Pursuant to ss 21 and 29 of the Criminal Procedure Act 1986 (NSW), order that Jason Hawkins be tried separately from Stephen Garland. Catchwords: CRIMINAL LAW – separate trial application – accused jointly charged with murder – where each accused claims to have been set up by the other and a third co-accused now deceased – where one accused provided lengthy interviews to police – not admissible in the trial of the other – statutory test – application of authorities – whether single jury can make credibility findings in one case and disregard such findings in the other – where first accused compellable to give evidence in second trial –whether general rule relating to cut throat defences applies in particular circumstances – substantially different defences – extent to which evidence common to both cases – potential for prejudice and embarrassment – capacity of judicial directions to cure prejudice – whether order may result in inconsistent verdicts Legislation Cited: Criminal Procedure Act 1986 (NSW), ss 21(2)(b), 29(3) Evidence Act 1995 (NSW), ss 38, 128, 165 Cases Cited: Caleo v R (2021) 290 A Crim R 352; [2021] NSWCCA 179 Director of Public Prosecutions v Lehrmann (No 5) (2022) 373 FLR 253; [2022] ACTSC 296 Gilbert v The Queen (2000) 201 CLR 414; [2000] HCA 15 Hamalainen v R [2019] NSWCCA 276 Hoang v The Queen (2022) 96 ALJR 453; [2022] HCA 14 Nader v R [2018] NSWCCA 256 Osland v The Queen (1998) 197 CLR 316; [1998] HCA 75 R v Basanovic and ors (No. 1) [2015] NSWSC 1033 R v Bloodsworth; R v Errington (No 1) [2017] NSWSC 1482 R v Douglas [2000] NSWCCA 275 R v Grondkowski [1946] KB 369 R v Hawi & ors (No 3) [2011] NSWSC 1649 R v JH (No 3) [2014] NSWSC 1966 R v Newson; R v Cunneen (No 2) [2020] NSWSC 462 R v Qaumi & Ors (No 3) (Severance and Separate Trial) [2016] NSWSC 15 R v Roff [2015] NSWSC 1853 R v Rogerson; R v McNamara (No 3) [2015] NSWSC 965 R v Simmons; R v Moore (No 4) (2015) 249 A Crim R 120; [2015] NSWSC 259 R v Skaf & Anor (2004) 60 NSWLR 86; [2004] NSWCCA 37 R v Spicer [2013] NSWSC 1907 R v Symss [2003] NSWCCA 77 R v White & ors (No 1) [2012] NSWSC 465 R v Sio (No 3) [2013] NSWSC 1414 R v Fernando & Anor [1999] NSWCCA 66 Regina v Patsalis & Spathis (1999) 107 A Crim R 432; [1999] NSWSC 649 Regina v Pham [2004] NSWCCA 190 Singh v R; Dhillon v R [2023] NSWCCA 237 Smith v R (2010) 79 NSWLR 675; [2010] NSWCCA 325 Webb v The Queen (1994) 181 CLR 41; [1994] HCA 30 Category: Procedural rulings Parties: Rex Jason Hawkins Stephen Garland Representation: Counsel: B Hatfield SC and R Meagher (Rex) B Bickford (Hawkins) T Hughes (Garland)