Alleged NCA bomber Domenic Perre’s defence team has ‘disbanded’ in wake of legal aid funding refusal, court told

Alleged NCA bomber Domenic Perre will never receive a fair trial unless the State Government provides his lawyers with taxpayer-funded legal aid, a court has heard.

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Alleged NCA bomber Domenic Perre will never receive a fair trial unless the State Government provides his lawyers with taxpayer-funded legal aid, a court has heard.

On Friday, the Adelaide Magistrates Court was told Perre’s high-powered legal team – including top barrister Lindy Powell QC – had “disbanded”.

James Noblett, for Perre, said that without legal aid, his client would be left to fight “the largest and most complicated case in SA history” on his own.

That would come as news to his client, he said, because Mr Noblett yet to inform him of the situation.

Domenic Perre being led into the Adelaide Magistrates Court. Picture: Nine News.

“The team I had assembled has disbanded, no one is prepared to continue on with the base funding that’s in place … I stand alone,” he said.

“I need time to see if I can resolve these funding issues, to consider my position as to whether I can continue on.

“Everyone in the community deserves a fair trial, and funding is inextricably linked with that.”

Perre, 61, is accused of murdering Detective Sergeant Geoffrey Bowen and attempting to murder lawyer Peter Wallis in the March 2, 1994, explosion on Waymouth St.

His arrest, following a 2 ½ year cold case investigation, came on the eve of the 24th anniversary of the bombing.

Perre was first arrested and accused of the bombing a week after the blast but, in late 1994, then-Director of Public Prosecutions Paul Rofe QC withdrew the charges.

Perre leaving Adelaide Pre-Release Centre at Northfield in 2001.

Mr Rofe said, at the time, he did not believe there was sufficient evidence to secure a conviction — however, a subsequent coronial inquest found Perre was likely responsible.

On Friday, Mr Noblett said his team had sought legal funding earlier than normal, before Perre entered his pleas, due to the case’s size and complexity.

“The prosecution has left no stone unturned … there are some 45 lever-arch folders of evidence, with more materials to be requested,” he said.

The Legal Services Commission passed the request on to Attorney-General Vickie Chapman who, on Wednesday, wrote back with her decision.

Mr Noblett said Ms Chapman had “resolved to defer consideration of funding until after” Perre had entered pleas.

“This is not a decision by the Commission, it has done the best it can … it was simply the messenger,” he said.

“Sadly and frustratingly, this issue has not been resolved yet.”

Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Sandi McDonald SC said she did not oppose a further adjournment in the case.

Magistrate Greg Fisher remanded Perre in custody until March.

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