Ravenswood murder and attempted murder trial to proceed after special hearing
A Launceston man will finally stand trial for murder and attempted murder after an alleged double stabbing more than two years ago. Latest from court.
Tasmania
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A special hearing will be held in Hobart next week ahead of a trial for a man accused of both murder and attempted murder.
Waverley man Kerry Lee Whiting, 46, has pleaded not guilty to an alleged double stabbing at Ravenswood on November 25, 2021 – with the alleged attack killing a man and critically injuring a woman in her thirties.
Tasmania Police at the time put up a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Mr Whiting, undertaking an extensive six-day manhunt.
It was previously reported that just hours after putting up the reward, officers swooped on a Launceston home and arrested Mr Whiting.
On Thursday, Mr Whiting appeared in the Supreme Court of Tasmania before Chief Justice Alan Blow.
Criminal defence lawyer Rochelle Mainwaring told Chief Justice Blow that Tasmanian Legal Aid would provide counsel for Mr Whiting, but that he’d declined to speak to lawyers or provide instructions.
Director of Public Prosecutions Daryl Coates SC said Mr Whiting changed lawyers a number of times during 2022, had appeared unrepresented on a number of occasions, then refused to provide instructions to Legal Aid lawyers a year ago.
Mr Whiting made a number of complaints during the brief administrative hearing – including claims that lawyers had conflicts of interest, that the Crown shouldn’t be deciding on a lawyer for him, and that he shouldn’t have been brought to court in leg cuffs.
“They’re saying I’m a high risk prisoner, which I’ve never been,” he said.
Chief Justice Blow said Mr Whiting had “ample opportunity to arrange counsel” and directed a special hearing next week – to hear evidence from two witnesses ahead of a trial – go ahead regardless.
“This case needs to be brought to trial and to do that we need to have the evidence of the two witnesses, so I direct the special hearing is to proceed on Tuesday,” he said.
“I direct that unless you arrange representation for that hearing, Ms Mainwaring will appear as amicus curiae – a friend of the court … to appear on Tuesday to represent your interests as best she can for the questioning of the two witnesses.”
A trial date has not yet been set.
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Originally published as Ravenswood murder and attempted murder trial to proceed after special hearing
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