R v Parkes [2024] NSWSC 269

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: R v Parkes [2024] NSWSC 269 Hearing dates: 8 March 2024; 14 March 2024 Date of orders: 14 March 2024 Decision date: 21 March 2024 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: N Adams J Decision: (1) The application to exclude portions of the ERISP and listening device material under s 90 of the Evidence Act 1995 (NSW) is refused. (2) The application to exclude a portion of the listening device material under s 137 of the Evidence Act 1995 (NSW) is allowed. Catchwords: EVIDENCE — murder trial — joint criminal enterprise – explanation for accused's presence at scene – where cellmate concocted story with the accused – Defence application to exclude on s 90 unfairness – cellmate acting individually not as agent of the state – no trickery involved in ERISP – evidence admitted. EVIDENCE — murder trial —joint criminal enterprise – explanation for accused's presence at scene – where cellmate concocted story with the accused – Defence application to exclude statement for s 137 unfair prejudice – complexity of required lies direction to the jury – unique circumstances of cellmate involvement in lies – risk of jury misuse of impugned statement – lack of credibility of cellmate – impugned statement excluded. Legislation Cited: Evidence Act 1995 (NSW), ss 90, 137 Surveillance Devices Act 2007 (NSW) Cases Cited: Edwards v The Queen (1993) 178 CLR 193; [1993] HCA 63 Em v The Queen (2007) 232 CLR 67; [2007] HCA 46 IMM v The Queen (2016) 257 CLR 300; [2016] HCA 14 Papakosmas v The Queen (1999) 196 CLR 297; [1999] HCA 37 R v Burton (2013) 237 A Crim R 238; [2013] NSWCCA 335 R v Chase (a pseudonym) [2018] NSWCCA 71 R v Officer A [2023] NSWSC 1265 R v Rice & Ors (No 4) [2014] NSWSC 1525 R v Rogerson; R v McNamara (No 26) [2016] NSWSC 141 R v Swaffield; Pavic v The Queen (1998) 192 CLR 159; [1998] HCA 1 R v Tortell (No 5) [2019] NSWSC 1665 at [33]. Regina v Cook [2004] NSWCCA 52 The Queen v Bauer (2018) 92 ALJR 846; [2018] HCA 40 Zoneff v The Queen (2000) 200 CLR 234; [2000] HCA 28 Category: Procedural rulings Parties: Rex (Crown) Benjamin Troy Parkes (Accused) Representation: Counsel: D Robinson (Crown) N Steel (Accused)