R (Cth) v Cooper [2019] NSWSC 1209

R (Cth) v Cooper [2019] NSWSC 1209

The Crown's circumstantial evidence regarding the cash in the accused's possession, when taken as a whole, is capable of supporting an inference that it was the proceeds of crime. There was therefore evidence upon which the accused could be convicted, and a directed verdict of acquittal was not available.

Parties
Prosecution: Regina (Crown); Accused: Jonathan Paul Cooper
Jurisdiction
Australia
Judgment Date
11 September 2019
Procedural Posture
Criminal / Application for Directed Verdict at Close of Crown Case
Outcome
application for directed verdict refused
Legal Topics
Conspiracy to Import a Border Controlled Drug, Proceeds of Crime, Directed Verdict, Circumstantial Evidence, Sufficiency of Proof

Case Brief

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Parties

Regina (Crown)

Prosecution

Jonathan Paul Cooper

Accused

Procedural Posture

Criminal / Application for Directed Verdict at Close of Crown Case

  1. 1 Whether there is sufficient evidence for the jury to infer that cash in the accused's possession was the proceeds of crime
  2. 2 Whether a directed verdict should be granted where the prosecution case is circumstantial

Ratio Decidendi

The Crown's circumstantial evidence regarding the cash in the accused's possession, when taken as a whole, is capable of supporting an inference that it was the proceeds of crime. There was therefore evidence upon which the accused could be convicted, and a directed verdict of acquittal was not available.

Court Disposition

application for directed verdict refused

Orders

  • The application for a directed verdict with respect to count 3 is refused.