NSW:Murder trial jury warned about lies

AAP General News (Australia)
08-12-2010
NSW:Murder trial jury warned about lies

SYDNEY, Aug 12 AAP - Jurors at the trial of an athlete accused of murdering her newborn
baby have been warned that lies by themselves do not prove guilt.

Justice Anthony Whealy also said people can lie about one thing but be very truthful
about other matters.

He gave the direction to the NSW Supreme Court jury on Thursday at the trial of water
polo champion Keli Lane, who has pleaded not guilty to murdering two-day-old Tegan Lane
on September 14, 1996.

The judge noted that in the crown's opening, Mark Tedeschi, QC, had alleged Lane told
lies in relation to a string of matters, including her adopting out of two other infants.

But he said a lie or lies, on their own, could not prove guilt, adding people may tell
lies for a number of reasons.

"People find themselves in difficult situations in life," the judge said, saying they
may lie for fear of their privacy being invaded or because they want to protect someone.

"You have to be careful, when you hear someone telling lies you might think less of them.

"But do not fall into the trap ... that if they tell lies they must be guilty."

The trial is continuing.

AAP mss/klm/dep/de

KEYWORD: LANE

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