A Hobart lawyer charged with the perversion of justice in relation to Susan Neill-Fraser's murder conviction appeal said materials seized by police are privileged, the Supreme Court in Hobart heard.
Jeffrey Ian Thompson, who previously worked on Neill-Fraser's defence, is charged with attempting to deliberately influence a witness to manufacture evidence in favour of Neill-Fraser.
Neill-Fraser was convicted with the murder of her partner Bob Chappell in Hobart unanimously by the jury, however, maintains her innocence.
Mr Thompson pleaded not guilty to the allegation he persuaded witness Stephen John Gleeson to change his version of events as to what he saw the night Mr Chappell disappeared in Sandy Bay in 2009.
Mr Thompson claims boxes of documents seized by police from his home are privileged because they are professional legal documents relating to the Susan Neill-Fraser matter.
The Crown said it was clear the documents were not privileged because Mr Thompson was not Neill-Fraser's lawyer at the time.
The Crown said it was ready for the matter to go to trial, however, Mr Thompson's defence submitted they were not yet ready to proceed.
The court was adjourned until April to allow Justice Michael Brett to view the documents in question and then rule on the matter of privilege.
Neill-Fraser's appeal is an ongoing matter before Justice Brett.
Emily Jarvie
Emily Jarvie is a political journalist at The Advocate and The Examiner newspapers based in Hobart, Tasmania. Contact: emily.jarvie@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Emily Jarvie is a political journalist at The Advocate and The Examiner newspapers based in Hobart, Tasmania. Contact: emily.jarvie@austcommunitymedia.com.au
