Father of Shyanne-Lee Tatnell could have conviction quashed for unrelated but serious sexual crime

A trio of judges is currently considering the future of Nathan Dean Tatnell – the father of a young Tasmanian girl allegedly murdered last year, over an unrelated but serious crime.

Nathan Dean Tatnell, the father of Shyanne-Lee Tatnell, who was allegedly murdered in northern Tasmania in April 2023. Picture: Facebook

A trio of judges is currently considering the future of Nathan Dean Tatnell, the father of a young Tasmanian girl allegedly murdered last year, over an unrelated, serious crime.

Tatnell, 38, has been locked up at Risdon Prison since September 2021 for sexual abuse of a child – not Shyanne-Lee.

For legal reasons, the details of his crime – which has landed him in jail for a maximum of 12 years – cannot be published.

However, he has staged an appeal based on a complex legal argument about the law he breached, and whether that law could be applied retrospectively to the time of his offence.

If he manages to convince Justice Michael Brett, Justice Tamara Jago and Acting Justice Brian Martin that the law should not apply retrospectively, Tatnell could potentially have his conviction quashed.

That could mean he could undergo a fresh trial, or even be acquitted altogether as a free man.

On Thursday, his barrister Kim Baumeler argued in the Court of Criminal Appeal that Tatnell’s trial judge erred by amending the indictment, and in a direction he made to the jury.

She said Tatnell should have stood trial on the basis of the law as it was at the time of his crime, not once the law had been amended.

Shyanne-Lee Tatnell on her 14th birthday. Picture: Supplied

Ms Baumeler said because this had happened, it had been easier to convict Tatnell, and a “pathway to acquittal” had been removed.

Tatnell has also made an appeal against his sentence, in the event his appeal against conviction fails.

He is arguing the term is “manifestly excessive”, and in a fresh amendment, is also arguing the trial judge erred in making factual findings inconsistent with what was found by the jury.

The judges have retired to consider their decision, to be delivered at a future date.

The Mercury is not suggesting Tatnell had anything to do with his daughter’s death.

Scottsdale man Christopher Mark Jordan, 37, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Shyanne-Lee Tatnell. Picture: Facebook

The remains of 14-year-old Shyanne-Lee Tatnell were found near Nabowla on July 26 last year, about 12 weeks after she went missing.

Scottsdale man Christopher Mark Jordan, 37, has pleaded not guilty to her murder, and is due to return to the Launceston Magistrates Court in July.

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