Daily Edition host Ryan Phelan hires new lawyer ahead of assault case
Former Channel 7 TV presenter Ryan Phelan has retained a new lawyer ahead of his first court appearance for the charge of assault occasioning bodily harm against his partner Chelsea Franklin.
Confidential
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Ryan Phelan has lawyered up. Sunday Confidential can reveal the former Daily Edition host will attend Manly court on Tuesday with representation from Cockburn and Co lawyer Claudette Chua.
It is understood Phelan has also had conversations with high-profile barrister and former DPP Margaret Cunneen after he was charged with assault occasioning bodily harm against his live-in partner Chelsea Franklin last Saturday night.
Phelan was stood down immediately in what was to be his final week at Channel 7 following the cancellation of The Daily Edition, which he co-hosted with Sally Obermeder for the past two years.
Chau isn’t the most high-profile lawyer in town but does come with experience. She was involved in the Steven Fletcher case after the high-profile punter faced 78 charges of fraudulently using the accounts of friends to place bets which netted him more than $33,000 in winnings.
He had all 78 charges against him dismissed.
Chau also worked with Cunneen after she was pursued over allegations by ICAC she perverted the course of justice, which were ultimately dropped with no charges.
News of Phelan’s legal team come as Franklin told Confidential this week she was “completely devastated” after the former Channel 7 host was charged with domestic violence offences against her.
“I am completely devastated. I’m heartbroken,” the ballet teacher said.
“He was my best friend and lover. We have had an amazing wonderful relationship so I hope he is OK.”
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Channel 7 announced late last week that The Daily Edition would be axed and the two presenters would leave the network on Friday after a final week of shows.
However, following the allegations, a Seven Network spokesperson said Phelan “will not be returning to the Daily Edition, effective immediately”.
In a bold move, Phelan’s co-host Sally Obermeder opened Tuesday’s show by acknowledging the former TV host’s charges.
“Before we go on I want to take the opportunity to address Ryan Phelan’s absence from the program. Ryan will not be returning to The Daily Edition due to the serious allegations that have being made against him,” she said.
“The network was unaware of these allegations until notified last night. We are all understandably shocked by the situation but as the matter is now before the courts, we won’t be commenting further.”
Phelan is scheduled to appear in court over the incident on June 30.
Originally published as Daily Edition host Ryan Phelan hires new lawyer ahead of assault case