Qld: Innocent 'could be jailed' under double jeopardy overhaul

AAP General News (Australia)
04-23-2007
Qld: Innocent 'could be jailed' under double jeopardy overhaul

Civil libertarians say an overhaul of Queensland's double jeopardy laws .. could lead
to the jailing of innocent people.

The state government is set to back a private members bill from Independent MP for
Nicklin PETER WELLINGTON .. which would enable an acquitted person to be retried if fresh
and compelling new evidence emerged in a murder case.

The 800-year-old double jeopardy rule prevents people from being tried twice for the same crime.

Queensland Council for Civil Liberties president MICHAEL COPE says the amendments would
encourage sloppy policing .. and undermine a fundamental principle of the state's legal
system.

AAP RTV rm/pjo/jmt

KEYWORD: JEOPARDY (BRISBANE)

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