Bail bids for nine

NINE MORE MURDER ACCUSED could be back on the streets by Christmas if their attorneys are successful in securing bail for them.

These would add to the estimated near 50 other murder accused on bail pending the start of their cases.

This is the latest development in response to the Senate’s blocking of an amendment to the Constitution that related to the abolition of the mandatory death penalty.

That action by Independent and Opposition senators last Wednesday would, according to Attorney General Dale Marshall, lead to a further delay in murder cases being tried as the High Court would not be in a position to impose any sentence if any accused was convicted of killing another person.

Two leading attorneys specialising in criminal law – Queen’s Counsel Andrew Pilgrim and Arthur Holder, Speaker of the House of Assembly – have indicated they intend to apply for bail for their clients on remand at Her Majesty Prisons Dodds. (SP)

Subscribe now to our eNATION edition.

For the latest stories and breaking news updates download the Nationnews apps for iOS and Android.