Teen accused of 2020 Gunnedah homicide may very well be discovered not criminally accountable, trial hears

The teenage lady accused of murdering a 10-year-old lady in north-west New South Wales may very well be discovered not criminally liable for the act.

The defendant, who’s now 15 and can’t be recognized, is accused of murdering the youthful lady at a property within the Gunnedah area in July 2020.

Particulars of the deceased lady’s accidents can’t be reported because of a courtroom suppression order.

On the primary day of {the teenager}’s judge-alone trial, Crown prosecutor Lee Carr SC mentioned each side had agreed the matter may very well be resolved below new laws, which covers accused folks with psychological well being and cognitive impairments.

The regulation permits for an individual to be discovered “not criminally accountable” for an act they’re confirmed to have dedicated.

“It is a joint place that the brand new laws applies to this explicit matter,” Mr Carr mentioned.

Defence barrister Stuart Bouveng instructed the courtroom it might not be essential to name two knowledgeable witnesses to present proof concerning the accused’s psychological well being.

Stories from each consultants, together with the skilled psychiatric assessor Dr John Kasinathan, have already been submitted.

Performing Justice Carolyn Simpson AO mentioned she would contemplate the exact authorized query of whether or not the brand new act utilized to the case.

She instructed the courtroom that if it did apply, then the witnesses had been seemingly to not be referred to as.

Justice Simpson has adjourned the matter till tomorrow, and instructed the accused the case is prone to be expedited swiftly.

“It appears there might be some proof tomorrow, however aside from that, the proceedings will conclude till I ship a verdict,” she mentioned.