Waiting for the High Court Decision

The High Court concluded hearing Andrew's application to have his conviction overturned on Wednesday 8 September at 4.15pm.

Lawyers for Andrew argued that crucial evidence held by the police and prosecution was not shared with the defence or the court. The information came to light only after the original trial and only after significant investigation by Andrew's supporters. It was revealed that an undercover operative had been with Andrew in the weeks following the murder. Evidence was also withheld that showed the weapon the prosecution maintained was used to murder Mrs Lawrence was most unlikely to have been the weapon described to the court.

The Justices must now decide whether undisclosed information to the jury in Andrew' original trial would have changed the jury's opinion that Andrew was guilty of the murder of Pamela Lawrence. It must decide if the undisclosed information is significant enough to overturn the original verdict.

High court Justice Michael Kirby said that it was clear that potential evidence was "deleted, suppressed and not put forward" which left him with a real sense of disquiet.

We must now wait for the deliberations of the Justices. One thing we have learned over the last eleven years is patience - and perseverance. We will not give up - so we all of us now await the decision with hope in our heart that finally justice will be done and Andrew will be blieved. He is an innocent man, wrongfully convicted. There has been a miscarriage of Justice that needs to be righted.

To view the transcripts of the proceedings go to www.hcourt.gov.au and click on the publications link in the list to the left of the screen.