WA:Murder-accused barrister Rayney gets bail

AAP General News (Australia)
12-23-2010
WA:Murder-accused barrister Rayney gets bail

By Angie Raphael

PERTH, Dec 23 AAP - Prominent Perth barrister Lloyd Rayney, accused of the wilful murder
of his wife, has been granted bail until his trial next year so he can spend Christmas
with his two daughters.

The August 2007 death of Supreme Court registrar Corryn Rayney became one of WA's most
notorious unsolved murder cases.

Rayney was arrested on December 8 and charged with her murder after several hours of questioning.

Rayney's bail application was due to be heard in the Supreme Court last Friday morning
but was delayed when the prosecutor handed the defence a 68-page document laying out the
crown case shortly before the hearing.

Members of the Rayney family, including Rayney's daughters Caitlyn and Sarah, were
in court for last Friday's hearing and Thursday's hearing.

Seeking bail in the Supreme Court on Thursday, Rayney's lawyer David Edwardson QC,
said there was "unprecedented media attention" on the trial with a lot of speculation
about Rayney circulating among the public.

"This is, in one sense, red hot," he said.

"This case is unique, if not unprecedented, in this state."

Mr Edwardson said the charges laid against his client were "utterly" unfounded and
he had the support of his daughters.

"They are utterly supportive of their father," he said.

"They are desperate to be with their father."

Mr Edwardson said Rayney was anxious to prove his innocence.

"He and his children want the real perpetrator brought to justice," he said.

Ms Rayney, a 44-year-old mother of two, disappeared at about 9.30pm (WST) on August
7, 2007, after leaving friends at her weekly class at Urban Cowboys Line Dancing School
in Bentley.

Her silver Ford sedan was found seven days later, and her body was discovered in a
bushland grave in Kings Park on August 16, 2007.

At the time, police said Rayney was their prime and only suspect.

The barrister denied the accusation and began defamation proceedings, which have now
been placed on hold.

He has maintained his innocence since his arrest two weeks ago.

On Thursday, Mr Edwardson made the submission that his client, who he says is the most
recognisable person in the state, was not a flight risk.

He said in the past his client had informed police when he went overseas twice and
was not likely to flee the country.

However, prosecutor John Agius argued Rayney had dual citizenship and could still flee
the country.

He said Rayney was an intelligent man who knew how the police system worked and could
use it to his advantage if he was released on bail.

Justice Robert Anderson said it was too late in the day to provide his reasons why
Rayney should be released on bail but said he would give his reasons to the lawyers at
an appropriate time.

Justice Anderson came out of retirement to hear the bail application.

He was sworn as an auxiliary justice to avoid any conflict with current Supreme Court
justices due to Rayney's strong links with the WA legal community.

NSW director of public prosecutions Nicholas Cowdery will lead the prosecution assisted
by Mr Agius, who worked on the Wood Royal Commission into NSW police corruption.

Rayney will be released on bail providing he can pay $100,000 to the court as well
as provide a surety of $100,000.

He must also report every day to the officer in charge at the Cannington Police Station
and surrender his passport.

If Rayney does not appear at his trial he will have to pay $250,000.

AAP anr/jl/nb

KEYWORD: RAYNEY WRAP

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