Gerard Baden-Clay appeal: High Court reinstates murder conviction

WIFE-KILLER Gerard Baden-Clay is guilty of murdering his spouse Allison once again after the nation’s highest court overturned his successful appeal.

• Baden Clay: Allison’s friend in emotional speech outside court
• Baden-Clay: High Court decision on Baden-Clay murder conviction
• Baden-Clay: Decision must be respected, says Law Society
• Baden-Clay: Allison Baden-Clay’s death in Brisbane

WIFE-KILLER Gerard Baden-Clay is guilty of murdering his spouse Allison once again after the nation’s highest court overturned his successful appeal.

The High Court of Australia handed down it’s verdict in Canberra this morning, reinstating his murder conviction, which was downgraded to manslaughter by the Queensland Court of Appeal.

Five judges unanimously agreed to set aside the Court of Appeal’s judgment and ordered that the appeal be dismissed.

`His evidence, being the evidence of the only person who could give evidence on the issue, was inconsistent with that hypothesis. #badenclay

— David Murray (@TheMurrayD) August 31, 2016

`The jury were entitled to regard the whole of the evidence as satisfying beyond reasonable doubt (he) acted with intent' @couriermail

— David Murray (@TheMurrayD) August 31, 2016

There were quiet tears and relief from supporters of Allison outside the court room following the decision.

Don’t miss Thursday’s The Courier-Mail newspaper for David Murray’s analysis and an exclusive interview with Allison Baden-Clay’s friends and family.

Allison Baden-Clay’s best friend Kerry-Anne Walker slammed sections of the legal fraternity for shouting down people who questioned the Court of Appeal.

“Today’s decision in the High Court comes with both relief and elation,” Ms Walker said through tears outside the High Court in Canberra.

`The appeal should be allowed.' Open to the jury to conclude intent. Conclusion of High Court judgment #badenclay pic.twitter.com/nCfotQZTBN

— David Murray (@TheMurrayD) August 31, 2016

“Despite many Queenslanders being labelled as ignorant when they protested the downgrade to manslaughter, the common sense of the original jury has prevailed and justice for Allison has finally been realised.

“The ignorance it seems lay elsewhere.”

Allison Baden-Clay's best friend Kerry-Anne Walker in tears, community was `labelled ignorant, common sense has prevailed' @couriermail

— David Murray (@TheMurrayD) August 31, 2016

Ms Walker praised the decision, saying “justice for Allison has finally been realised”, adding that today’s decision “brings to an end Gerard’s attempts to smear Allison’s name”.

“Gerard Baden-Clay murdered his amazing wife Allison.”

She went on to say Baden-Clay let Allison’s family “and the whole community worry and anguish about what had happened”.

She paid tribute to Allison, a woman who “loved being a wife and a mother”.

“She was indeed an amazing woman ... Her legacy will be her three girls.”

She went on to say that Allison’s daughters were “thriving in their busy lives” and would “go on to achieve great things”, saying they were a tribute to Allison’s parents, who have cared for them since Allison’s death.

Allison's friend Kerry-Anne Walker and supporter Nicole Morrison embraced after making an emotional statement. pic.twitter.com/pvg23E7nFp

— Matthew Killoran (@matt_killoran) August 31, 2016

Gerard Baden-Clay conviction is RESTORED. Unanimous decision by the High Court https://t.co/LJkSEmx0zz

— David Murray (@TheMurrayD) August 31, 2016

High Court allowed the appeal and set aside orders of the Qld Court of Appeal.https://t.co/2gAoV3Jsg2

— Matthew Killoran (@matt_killoran) August 31, 2016