NCA bombing accused Domenic Perre has ‘problems’ obtaining legal aid
NCA bombing accused Domenic Perre has encountered “problems” obtaining taxpayer-funded legal aid to defend murder and attempted murder charges, a court has heard.
NCA bombing accused Domenic Perre has encountered “problems” obtaining taxpayer-funded legal aid to defend murder and attempted murder charges, a court has heard.
On Friday, counsel for Perre asked the Adelaide Magistrates Court to postpone their client’s case until December so they could “negotiate” with the Legal Services Commission.
Lindy Powell QC, for Perre, said the funding issue needed to be resolved before her client entered any pleas.
“There have been various funding negotiations or, I should say, problems between the Commission and the government,” she said.
“They are progressing, and progressing well.
“Keeping this matter before the court is helpful in assisting us with those funding negotiations.”
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 followed a two-and-a-half year cold case investigation, and 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.
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.
Under state law, one of the criteria an alleged offender must satisfy to obtain legal aid is convincing the Commission they have an arguable case.
The Commission has the authority to determine whether it funds criminal cases to full trials, or some other means of finalising the matters instead.
On Friday, prosecutors said they did not object to Perre’s case being adjourned.
He was remanded in custody to face court again in December.