CH/9 who's who?The stalled committal hearing of the man accused of murdering British backpacker Peter Falconio will resume today after CH/9's DPP challenged the Magistrates suppression order.
The case had been put on hold while Channel Nine argued for the lifting of a suppression order on parts of the Crown's opening address.
The full bench of the Northern Territory Supreme Court heard the appeal over the past two days and will hand down its decision this morning.
Channel Nine argued that a magistrate did not have the power to make a suppression order.
If the media organisation is successful and the order is lifted, the Crown prosecutor has told the court Mr Murdoch's case might then be conducted in a closed court.
If the media organisation is unsuccessful, it could appeal to the High Court, although there is been no indication that this will happen.
Mr Bradley John Murdoch, 45, has been charged with Falconio's murder and the alleged, deprivation of liberty and unlawful assault of Joanne Lees.
It has been a week since evidence has been heard in the case.
Ms Lees, the key witness, was questioned for more than an hour last week. It is expected she will be the first person to take the witness stand today.
The prosecution witness list for the first week included six people but only two have so far given any evidence.
Mr Falconio's brothers, Paul and Nick, are expected to follow the committal proceedings in court today.
By DPP 26 May 04
THE DOG: Channel Nine have no rights whatsoever to delay the case of a person accused and in custody. Mr Bradley Murdoch should seek damages after the committal against Ch/9 to prevent further interference by corporate media giants who no doubt have a conflict of interest making news instead of reporting news and also having a corporate interest in tourism and $$$$$$$.
Australia to see the light on tourism
And the Australian ruling class will lock up and frame-up, for 'life', anyone for a crime against any 'backpacker or holiday maker from overseas' no matter whether they were 'guilty or not' and no matter whether they 'found any dead bodies' or whether they found any 'weapon that killed a tourist' and even if there is only 'flawed circumstantial evidence' and 'trial by media' to prove their case. The inbound and domestic tourism industry contributes $70 billion to the economy and employs 500,000.
Related:
Ch/9 News? Or Ch/9's Department of Public Prosecutions?
Bradley Murdoch committal, lawyer calls for fair hearing
The lawyer of the man accused of murdering British backpacker Peter Falconio has spoken to the media in Darwin.
Bradley Murdoch committal, lawyer calls for fair hearing
The lawyer of the man accused of murdering British backpacker Peter Falconio has spoken to the media in Darwin.
Peter Beattie nominated as Australian of the year: Howard
Bradley Murdoch the man alleged to have murdered English tourist Peter Falconio who has been acquitted of rape and abduction charges in the South Australian District Court.
Tourist dollar drives set-up for crime
The man alleged to have murdered English tourist Peter Falconio has been acquitted of rape and abduction charges in the South Australian District Court. Bradley John Murdoch, 45, was charged with two counts of rape, two counts of false imprisonment and two counts of indecent assault after an alleged incident in South Australia's Riverland in August last year.
