Hunter Valley bus crash accused pleads guilty, manslaughter charges dropped
Flanked by supporters in his last moments of freedom, Brett Button had ten manslaughter charges dropped but pleaded guilty to lesser charges, to the dismay of some grieving families.
The family of victims of the Hunter Valley bus crash expressed their disappointment outside court after prosecutors dropped 10 manslaughter charges against the driver, prompting the NSW Attorney-General to call for a “comprehensive briefing” into the matter.
Brett Andrew Button, 59, accused of causing the crash that killed 10 wedding guests and injured 25 others, pleaded guilty to 10 lesser charges of dangerous driving occasioning death at Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday after landing a plea deal.
Button had been behind the wheel of the bus which rolled over at a roundabout near Greta as he drove guests back to Singleton following the wedding of Mitchell Gaffney and Madeleine Edsell at Wandin Valley Estate late on June 11 last year.
Matt Mullen, the father of crash victim and young doctor Rebecca Mullen, was reportedly told 36 hours before the court hearing that the Director of Public Prosecutions would drop the manslaughter charges against the accused. Mr Mullen had endured a sleepless night hoping the DPP would reconsider before he heard the words out of the prosecutor’s mouth. He sobbed and appeared to be in physical pain in court as the charge related to his daughter’s death was dismissed.
Outside court, Rebecca’s mother Leanne said she “disapproved” of the crown’s decision, but it was only a small fraction of the pain she felt from her daughter’s loss.
Other family members said “not today” to waiting reporters as they left the court.
Button was flanked by supporters as he arrived at the courthouse. He likely knew he would not leave with them as he was remanded in custody following the pleas. He said the word “guilty” softly as he stood in front of the numerous family members and was asked how he would plead a charge of dangerous driving causing the death for each victim: mother and daughter Nadene and Kyah McBride, Kyah’s partner Kane Symons, husband and wife Andrew and Lynan Scott, Zach Bray, Angus Craig, Tori Cowburn and Darcy Bulman, as well as Rebecca Mullen.
Button also pleaded guilty to nine counts of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm related to the surviving bus crash victims, and 16 related charges of driving the bus furiously causing bodily harm to his passengers.
The crown prosecutor then withdrew 10 counts of manslaughter and 25 counts of causing bodily harm by misconduct.
Button did not enter pleas to 10 counts of negligent driving occasioning death or 10 counts of negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, which will proceed to the NSW District Court as back-up charges.
Asked about the plea deal in state parliament on Wednesday, Attorney-General Michael Daley said he would be asking the DPP for a comprehensive briefing on all aspects of this matter when it is finally concluded.
“I was concerned … to see media reports that some of the victim’s families were not happy with the way the proceedings have been handled,” he said. “Nobody in this place wants to see family members and victims displeased with, or re-traumatised by, the criminal justice system.”
Local MP Dave Layzell said the DPP had a “certain responsibility to not just get the court case finished but to get what the community and the DPP think is the most appropriate action”.
“There’s a certain level of disappointment across the community that the full extent of the charges were downgraded … but I hope the Attorney-General is getting a briefing on those.”
The DPP’s office said it “sympathises deeply with the families” and “the decision to accept a plea of guilty involves complex issues of fact and law”.
“These decisions are always made after close and careful consideration of the evidence,” the statement said.
Ahead of the hearing on Wednesday, Ms Mullen said the sacrifices they made for the police investigation now felt wasted.
Additional reporting: NewsWire
More Coverage
US congress backs AUKUS as key China deterrent
The leaders of the US house select committee on the CCP have delivered a strong endorsement of AUKUS ahead of testimony on the security agreement from Scott Morrison.
Battin signals net-zero review is on the cards
The Allan government is preparing to introduce renewable energy legislation that could see farmers fined as much as $12,000 for refusing to allow public officials on to their land.