O’Dempsey to appeal McCulkin verdict
THE man convicted of murdering Barbara McCulkin and her two daughters Leanne and Vicki four decades ago is appealing the jury’s verdict.
Vincent O’Dempsey, 78 pleaded not guilty at his trial in Brisbane Supreme Court last month.
But a jury concluded he did murder Mrs McCulkin, 34, and Vicki, 13, and Leanne, 11, after they went missing from their Highgate Hill home in January, 1974.
O’Dempsey’s co-accused Garry Dubois from the Fraser Coast has also lodged an appeal after being found guilty late last year of murdering Vicki and Leanne McCulkin, and the manslaughter of their mother.
The Crown’s case was that a “suspected connection” between the Torino and Whiskey Au Go Go fires in 1973 might have provided “a motive for Dubois and O’Dempsey to keep Barbara McCulkin quiet.”
O’Dempsey, from Warwick, will argue in the Queensland Court of Appeal that the trial judge’s case summary to the jury was “so unbalanced” on the factual issues that it led to a miscarriage of justice.
He will also argue the judge erred in his ruling that the Crown could lead evidence “in respective of the murder charges”.
Documents have been lodged for the appeals, but no dates have been set for hearings.
– NewsRegional