SENTENCING of Tasmania's Director of Public Prosecutions Tim Ellis has been delayed while the search is on for a Supreme Court judge willing to hear an appeal against his guilty verdict for negligent driving.
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Ellis was due to be sentenced by magistrate Chris Webster in the Hobart Magistrates Court yesterday, but an interim stay on proceedings remains in place until a judge is found to hear his appeal.
Ellis was last month found guilty of killing Natalia Pearn, 27, when his car crossed onto the wrong side of the Midland Highway and collided head-on with Ms Pearn's vehicle.
Ellis faces a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a $1300 fine.
However, Ellis has appealed against the decision and wants sentencing delayed until after his appeal is heard.
Justice David Porter said earlier this month a decision on the timing of the appeal and sentencing could only be resolved by a judge willing to hear the entire matter.
An interstate judge may have to be flown in, which would take longer.
A similar problem faced the Magistrates Court in the lead-up to Ellis's trial, after Chief Justice Michael Hill and Deputy Chief Magistrate Michael Daly recused themselves from the hearing.
Ellis remains suspended on full pay from his position as DPP.