R v Brindley [2014] NSWSC 1274

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: R v Brindley [2014] NSWSC 1274 Hearing dates: 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15 September 2014 Decision date: 19 September 2014 Before: Bellew J Decision: 1. I find the accused not guilty of the murder of Daryl Jones, also known as Graham Copeland, on the grounds of mental illness. 2. I order that the accused be detained, pursuant to s. 39 of the Mental Health (Forensic Provisions) Act 1990, in an appropriate correctional centre, or in such facility as the Mental Health Review Tribunal may determine, until he is released by due process of law. 3. I direct the Registrar to notify the Minister for Health and the Mental Health Review Tribunal of the orders I have made. Catchwords: CRIMINAL LAW - murder - trial by judge alone - where accused and the deceased shared a cell in custody - deceased found dead in cell - circumstantial evidence establishing beyond reasonable doubt that the act of the accused caused the death of the deceased

CRIMINAL LAW - murder - defence of mental illness - unanimous evidence of the availability, to the accused, of the defence of mental illness Legislation Cited: Crimes Act 1900 Criminal Procedure Act 1986 Mental Health (Forensic Provisions) Act 1990 Cases Cited: Fleming v R [1999] HCA 68; (1998) 197 CLR 250 Gilham v R [2012] NSWCCA 131 Lazaris v R [2014] NSWCCA 163 Markou v R [2012] NSWCCA 64 Mizzi v R (1960) 105 CLR 659 R v Afele [2014] NSWSC 366 R v Hillier (2007) 228 CLR 618 R v Jenkins [1964] NSWR 721; (1963) 64 SR (NSW) 20; 81 WN (Pt 2) (NSW) 44 R v McNaghton (1843) 8 ER 718 R v Michaux [1984] 2 Qd R 159; 13 A Crim R 173 R v Minani [2005] NSWCCA 226; (2005) 63 NSWLR 490 R v Porter (1933) 55 CLR 182 R v S [1979] 2 NSWLR 1 R v Stables [2014] NSWSC 697 R v Winner (1995) 79 A Crim R 528 Shepherd v R (1990) 170 CLR 573 Taylor v R (1978) 45 FLR 343; 22 ALR 599 Tumanako v R (1992) 64 A Crim R 149 W v R [2014] NSWCCA 110 Zoneff v R [2000] HCA 28; (2000) 200 CLR 234 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Regina - Crown Brian John Brindley - Accused Representation: Counsel: Ms M Cunneen SC and Mr O Jones - Crown Mr D Pullinger - Accused Solicitors: Director of Public Prosecutions NSW - Crown Medcalf Grant Lawyers - Accused File Number(s): 2013/140853 Publication restriction: Nil