Herald Sun: Cyclist’s wife confronts hit-run driver [28apr05]
South Australia’s Director of Public Prosecutions has called for prominent lawyer Eugene McGee to be jailed for failing to stop after hitting and killing a cyclist in late 2003. The Adelaide District Court has heard sentencing submissions for McGee who was found guilty of driving without due care. He pleaded guilty to failing to stop and render assistance. McGee, 50, faces a maximum penalty of one year in prison. He sat silently today as he heard victim impact statements from the victim, Ian Humphrey’s family.

Mr Humphrey’s grieving wife Di Gilchrist stared McGee in the face, telling him his failure to stop after the crash had left her emotionally paralysed. Ms Gilchrist also spoke of her frustration with the legal system which she said had destroyed every belief and value she had possessed. The Crown prosecutor said McGee, a former traffic policeman and experienced criminal lawyer, knew what he was doing when he fled the scene and should go to prison. She said McGee also knew a blood alcohol test needed to carried out in the two hours after the crash. McGee’s lawyer Grant Algie, however, called for a fine, saying a prison term would not be an appropriate penalty.