KE v R [2021] NSWCCA 119

KE v R [2021] NSWCCA 119

The trial miscarried because the judge failed to give a proper Black direction when required and allowed a majority verdict without properly considering whether the period of deliberation was reasonable, as required by s 55F(2)(a) of the Jury Act 1977 (NSW). This constituted a miscarriage of justice.

Parties
Applicant: KE; Respondent: The Crown
Jurisdiction
Australia
Judgment Date
14 July 2021
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Appeal Against Conviction and Sentence
Outcome
Appeal allowed. Verdicts quashed. Retrial ordered.
Legal Topics
Appeals Against Conviction, Majority Verdicts, Jury Directions, Black Direction, Miscarriage of Justice

Case Brief

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Parties

KE

Applicant

The Crown

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Appeal Against Conviction and Sentence

  1. 1 Whether failure to give a Black direction was a miscarriage of justice
  2. 2 Whether judge erred in allowing a majority verdict without proper consideration of Jury Act 1977 (NSW) s 55F(2)(a)
  3. 3 Whether judge's intervention in defence address occasioned a miscarriage of justice

Ratio Decidendi

The trial miscarried because the judge failed to give a proper Black direction when required and allowed a majority verdict without properly considering whether the period of deliberation was reasonable, as required by s 55F(2)(a) of the Jury Act 1977 (NSW). This constituted a miscarriage of justice.

Court Disposition

Appeal allowed. Verdicts quashed. Retrial ordered.

Orders

  • Grant leave to appeal.
  • Quash the verdicts of guilty returned by the jury on the 4th to 7th counts on the Amended Indictment.