Adelaide Advertiser: No disciplinary action to be taken against hit-run lawyer Eugene McGee

Posted by admin on 04/9/11 in McGee: South Australia Legal Practitioners Conduct Board

Adelaide Advertiser: No disciplinary action to be taken against hit-run lawyer Eugene McGee
Political Reporter Daniel Wills From: The Advertiser April 09, 2011 12:00am

A bid for justice by Ian Humphrey’s wife has failed as the legal profession refuses to expel his killer.

An emotional Di Gilcrist-Humphrey has called the Legal Practitioners Conduct Board an “old boys’ club” that made a judgment to let McGee remain registered.

“This decision is incomprehensible,” she said yesterday. “This decision leaves the Legal Practitioner’s Conduct Board with my husband’s blood on their hands.”

McGee hit and killed cyclist Ian Humphrey on Kapunda Rd in 2003, fled the scene and evaded police before handing himself in hours later.

He was set free by the courts and Ms Gilcrist-Humphrey appealed to the profession’s watchdog to expel McGee for unprofessional conduct.

In a determination letter released yesterday, the Board ruled that the conduct did not warrant punishment as it was “not of an infamous nature”.

Ms Gilcrist-Humphrey and Independent South Australian Senator Nick Xenophon have demanded the Board’s sacking and called on the State Government to review its operations.

Mr McGee yesterday refused to answer questions about the ruling when leaving the Adelaide Magistrates Court after representing a client in a separate case.

Attorney-General John Rau refused to comment on the ruling, but said the Government was reviewing laws surrounding registration and regulation of legal practitioners.

Ms Gilcrist-Humphrey and Senator Xenophon were welcome to provide a submission, he said.

“Any reasonable person has some compassion for anybody who loses a loved one, and I obviously feel that compassion for Ms Gilcrist-Humphrey,” Mr Rau said.

Senator Xenophon said the Board’s ruling was “disgusting” and it should be forced to consider the public interest and reputation of the profession in future deliberations.

5 Comment(s)

Jan Harman | Apr 12, 2011 | Reply

If the Law Society doesn’t believe that the reputation of themselves and McGee have been damaged by this case they are sorely mistaken. It has entered popular language, to “do a McGee” is to kill somebody, leave them to die on the side of the road and walk off without justice to the victim. Any one I have discussed this matter with agrees respect for the existing system has been diminished by the Law Society allowing McGee to continue to practise.
Ashley | Feb 6, 2012 | Reply

I, tonight, watched Australian story on this topic. I am utterly disgusted by Eugene McGee’s conduct. I am a father of two girls myself. This story made my blood boil. Given his position of knowledge, McGee’s misuse of this and unrepentant conduct shows that he deserves to rot in hell. Given his brother’s form, it clearly runs in the family. May you McGees both burn in hell.
David inman | Feb 11, 2012 | Reply

How do any of these ,so called men face the mirror each day
No empathy no sympathy
What disgraceful conduct
It makes angry. And frustrated that these men can hide their cowardice ,
Step up be real men
Typical that lawyers would not face their own truth, whilst expecting all others to do so
Mary Cotter | Feb 12, 2012 | Reply

Lawyers have put themselves effectively above the law, & the supposed legal profession regulatory systems are nothing more than corrupt lawyer protection societies. If you agree and would like to help change this situation, you might like to sign the petitions with links on:
http://truthinjusticecampaign.com/

or on facebook at:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Truth-in-Justice-Campaign/304362426263474?sk=wall
Veronica Rushbrooke | Feb 13, 2012 | Reply

I know how the wife and child must feel Justice is a farce! I was hit in Queensland and taken through double glass door and trapped between car and wall. I was a pedestrian as well in a car park!!! The woman was 67 and couldn’t be charged as she said she had a cramp in her left leg and its suppose to be a involuntary action!!! Bull Shit!!!!! I was determined to make her suffer something. I had twelve months with x-rays, drs, specialists, podiatrists, pyscgologists and what not. I am still in recovery and have to learn to live with her not being charged as she was in a privately owned car park?????? I eventually heard her licence was withdrawn by Townsville police as she was ordered to do another test down there just before Christmas. Has she hit someone else?????? Will this guy hit and kill someone else??????
Veronica Rushbrooke
Cardwell