ABC Online: McGee court fight continues

Hit-run lawyer Eugene McGee will tender a criminologist’s report to support his case that he cannot get a fair trial on charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice. McGee and his brother Craig are jointly charged with trying to hinder a police investigation into the death of cyclist Ian Humphrey in November 2003.

Eugene and Craig McGee’s lawyers say their clients cannot get a fair trial because of what they call “extensive adverse press” since Eugene hit and killed Mr Humphrey nearly four years ago.

The McGees’ lawyers say the reporting has “poisoned the waters” so much that it will be impossible to find an impartial jury to hear the case. They plan to tender a report from criminologist and psychologist Professor Paul Wilson in support of their claim.

Prosecutors say it is likely they will challenge Professor Wilson’s standing as an expert witness and whether his opinions are relevant to the McGees’ application for a permanent stay of the charges.