Vic: Percy excused from giving inquest evidence

AAP General News (Australia)
12-11-2009
Vic: Percy excused from giving inquest evidence

MELBOURNE, Dec 11 AAP - Derek Ernest Percy will not be required to give evidence in
the coronial inquest into the disappearance and presumed death of seven-year-old Linda
Stilwell in 1968.

Percy on Friday was brought from the cells into the Victorian County Court, where the
inquest is being held.

But his lawyer Paul Higham objected to him giving evidence on the grounds of self incrimination.

A certificate was then sought which would allow Percy to give evidence without fear
of prosecution.

But Coroner Iain West ruled it was not in the public interest to grant such a certificate.

He said he had doubts about the reliability of the evidence Percy would give and whether
such evidence would lead to the crime being solved.

Lawyer for the Stilwell family Elizabeth McKinnon immediately indicated she would appeal
the decision.

The inquest was adjourned to a date to be fixed.

Neither the Stilwell family nor their lawyers made any comment as they left court.

AAP df/pmu/mn

KEYWORD: STILWELL PERCY UPDATE

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