NSW: DPP releases reasons for Heatley's release

AAP General News (Australia)
04-08-2004
NSW: DPP releases reasons for Heatley's release

False evidence under oath and a witness claiming he was Phar Lap were among the factors
which led New South Wales prosecutors to pull out of a sixth criminal trial against EARL
HEATLEY.

The 57-year-old was released from prison last night following the Director of Public
Prosecutions' decision not go go ahead with another trial after a jury failed to reach
a verdict in Mr HEATLEY's fifth.

Mr HEATLEY has spent the past nine years in jail on remand after being charged with
the murders of his brother, PAUL HEATLEY, and DESMOND THOMPSON during a bungled robbery
in Sydney in October 1994.

The DPP today released some of the reasons for the decision, which include inconsistencies
with evidence.

DPP NICHOLAS COWDERY says a number of witnesses who claimed that Mr HEATLEY made admissions
to them have told lies on oath, claiming loyalty to, or fear of Mr HEATLEY.

And Mr COWDREY says one of the witnesses had a psychiatric illness which lead to him
telling psychiatrists that he was the famous racehorse Phar Lap.

AAP RTV ld/nf/rh/rp

KEYWORD: HEATLEY (SYDNEY)

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