WA: Jeweller's killer to appeal against conviction again

AAP General News (Australia)
12-30-2003
WA: Jeweller's killer to appeal against conviction again

By Tim Clarke

PERTH, Dec 30 AAP - Convicted murderer Andrew Mallard is launching another bid to clear
his name over the brutal killing of a Perth jeweller almost a decade ago.

After failing in his second appeal bid in Western Australia's Court of Criminal Appeal
earlier this month, lawyers for the 41-year-old have now lodged an appeal with the High
Court of Australia.

Mallard was convicted in 1995 of killing Pamela Lawrence, who died when she was struck
repeatedly on the head with a wrench in her central Perth jewellery store.

Since the conviction, Mallard supporters have maintained there was no physical evidence
to prove he was the killer, the murder weapon was never found and his "confession" to
police was captured after he was given a cocktail of drugs.

Mallard's family also claimed he was vulnerable and confused at the time he admitted
the crime, after heavy marijuana use and time spent in a psychiatric facility.

But in his latest appeal, the panel of judges decided there was no basis for a retrial,
criticising Mallard's legal team for the way they conducted themselves in court.

That team, led by high-profile lawyer Malcolm McCusker, QC, is hoping to gain an application
for special leave to appeal to the High Court in the first half of next year.

AAP tc/cbs/de

KEYWORD: MALLARD

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