McGee royal commission adjourned 12:34 AEST Wed May 25 2005 AAP
The royal commission into the handling of the case of hit-run lawyer Eugene McGee has been adjourned on its first hearing day. A frustrated Commissioner Greg James adjourned the inquiry after being told two men expected to give evidence were yet to receive copies of statements they gave police. “This is hardly satisfactory in terms of timing,” Commissioner James said.

“Particularly bearing in mind that I’m required to report by 20 June, it’s necessary to start as soon as possible on the evidence”. Brothers Tony and John Zisimou were expected to be the first to give evidence to the commission. Among the issues the commission is examining is why the Zisimou brothers were not called to give evidence during McGee’s court trial. The brothers have alleged they saw McGee driving erratically before he crashed into cyclist Ian Humphrey in SA’s Barossa Valley in November 2003, but were told at late notice by prosecutors they were not required as witnesses.

McGee, 50, was last month fined $3,100 and disqualified from driving for 12 months after a jury found him guilty of driving without due care. He was acquitted of the more serious crime of causing death by dangerous driving. Outside the hearing, lawyer Brian Deegan, for the Zisimou brothers, said the need for the adjournment showed the commission had been hastily established.