Lawyers for youth accused of killing Millicent’s Ned and Nan Walker, and Sue Skeer in Mt Gambier crash, fail to exclude family from trial

A judge has rejected a last-ditch bid by a teen accused of causing a horror South-East crash to keep the family out of the courtroom, saying they’re entitled to be there.

The families of three people who died in a road crash are entitled to attend their alleged killer’s trial regardless of any “awkward” feelings he experiences, a senior judge says.

In the Youth Court on Friday, counsel for the alleged killer of Ned and Nan Walker, and their daughter Sue Skeer, made a final attempt to keep their family out of the courtroom.

Bill Boucaut SC, for the 17-year-old alleged driver, said his client’s “psychological challenges” warranted consideration of his request behind closed doors.

“There is an issue in terms of how many spectators would be allowed into the courtroom and, in terms of talking about that, I would ask for a suppression order,” he said.

Sue Skeer, left, and her parents Ned and Nan Walker. Picture: Supplied by the family.

“We will, unfortunately, be dealing with sensitive issues and I don't think the family of the deceased will be too happy about some of the things that might be said.

“It should be suppressed because it’s not in the public interest … the press is lucky to be here.”

His submission was rejected by Judge Penny Eldridge.

“The press are entitled to be here, it is a criminal matter, and the victims’ families have an entitlement to be present at the trial,” she said.

The boy, 17, whose identity is suppressed by law, is charged with three counts of causing death and four counts of causing harm by dangerous driving.

Prosecutors allege he was on L-plates when he caused a November 2020 head-on crash, near Mount Gambier, which killed Mr Walker, 80, Mrs Walker, 77, and Ms Skeer, 55.

A sign and floral tributes placed at the site of the fatal crash. Picture: Jessica Ball.

Last month, Mr Boucaut claimed anger over the incident would be “problematic” for his client, given his autism disorder, and asked the families be told “not to misbehave”.

On Friday, he said the number of people attending the trial remained a concern for his client.

“That concern is, in effect, he is going to be overborne by a vast number of people being allowed into the courtroom,” he said.

“If it does become awkward, would Your Honour entertain an application that my client be physically present in the court precinct but follow the proceedings remotely by video?”

Judge Eldridge said she “understood” where Mr Boucaut “was coming from”, but the trial would be conducted using existing safeguards.

“There are other arrangements that can be put in place, such as screens, if he is caused any distress,” she said.

She ordered the trial begin at Mount Gambier in two weeks’ time.