Fed: Eastman says jail riot stopping him from proper defence
Convicted murderer DAVID EASTMAN says a riot at Goulburn jail left him unable to properlyprepare for a court appearance today.
EASTMAN is serving a life sentence for the 1989 shooting of Australian Federal Policeassistant commissioner COLIN WINCHESTER.
An inquiry into whether EASTMAN was mentally fit to defend himself or instruct lawyersduring his 1995 trial was to have begun on April 2.
But the ACT Director of Public Prosecutions, RICHARD REFSHAUGE, now wants it called off.
The DPP says the inquiry can only be ordered into questions directly related to a guiltyverdict -- not someone's fitness to plead or instruct lawyers.
EASTMAN's told the ACT Supreme Court via video link-up from Goulburn Jail today thathe's being denied natural justice by the judge's refusal to allow him to physically sitin the courtroom.
He says yesterday's riot at the jail, in which prisoners attacked seven wardens, preventedhim from safe access to a phone to prepare his case.
Justice MALCOLM GRAY's refused EASTMAN's request to adjourn for 48 hours.
AAP RTV lm/sw/sal/rp
KEYWORD: EASTMAN (CANBERRA)
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