JB v R (No 2) [2016] NSWCCA 67

Court of Criminal Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: JB v R (No 2) [2016] NSWCCA 67 Hearing dates: 16 September 2015 Date of orders: 29 April 2016 Decision date: 29 April 2016 Before: Hoeben CJ at CL at [1] Adams J at [129] McCallum J at [137] Decision: (1) The appeal against conviction is allowed. (2) The conviction for the murder of Edward Spowart is quashed. (3) That a verdict of acquittal be entered in favour of JB. Catchwords: CRIMINAL LAW – murder which occurred on 21 April 2008 – referral to Court of Criminal Appeal under s 79 Crimes (Appeal and Review) Act 2001 – concession by Crown that appeal must succeed and conviction be quashed – whether verdict of acquittal or retrial should be ordered – undertaking by Crown not to call a compromised witness on retrial – evidence of that witness very important in original trial – whether remaining evidence capable of proving applicant guilty of murder – detailed analysis of evidence likely to be called at retrial – evidence unlikely to establish guilt of applicant – verdict of acquittal entered. Legislation Cited: Children (Criminal Proceedings) Act 1987 (NSW) – s 15A Crimes (Appeal and Review) Act 2001 (NSW) - s 78, s 79 Criminal Appeal Act 1912 (NSW) - s 6(1), s 8(1) , s 79(1)(b) Cases Cited: Conway v R [2002] HCA 2; 209 CLR 203; 186 ALR 328; 76 ALJR 358 Gerakiteys v The Queen [1984] HCA 8; 153 CLR 317 Gilham v R [2012] NSWCCA 131; 224 A Crim R 22 Haoui v R [2008] NSWCCA 209; 188 A Crim R 331 JB – Application for inquiry into conviction pursuant to s 78 of the Crimes (Appeal and Review) Act 2001 (Supreme Court of NSW), R A Hulme J, 20 November 2014, unreported JB v R [2012] NSWCCA 12; 83 NSWLR 153 JB v The Queen [2013] HCA Trans 28 JB v R [2015] NSWCCA 182 JB v The Queen [2013] HCA Trans 28 Jiminez v The Queen [1992] HCA 14; (1992) 173 CLR 572 Justins v Regina [2010] NSWCCA 242; 204 A Crim R 315 King v The Queen [1986] HCA 59; 161 CLR 423 Mallard v The Queen [2005] HCA 68; 224 CLR 125 Parker v The Queen [1997] HCA 15; 186 CLR 494 R v RWB [2002] NSWCCA 504 R v Thomas (No 3) [2006] VSCA 300; 14 VR 512 R v Wilkes [1948] HCA 22; 77 CLR 511 R v Wilton (1981) 28 SASR 362; A Crim R 5 Spies v The Queen [2000] HCA; 201 CLR 603 The Queen v Taufahema [2007] HCA 11; 228 CLR 232 The Queen v Carroll [2002] HCA 55; 213 CLR 635 Category: Principal judgment Parties: JB – Applicant Regina – Respondent Crown Representation: Counsel: Mr T Game SC/Ms G Bashir SC – Applicant Mr J Pickering SC – Respondent Crown