Convicted wife killer in possible High Court bid

A BRINSMEAD man who dissolved his wife in acid is considering taking his bid for freedom to the highest court in Australia.

It has been almost two years since Klaus Andres, 71, was handed a life sentence for the 2011 killing of wife Li Ping Cao.

Throughout his December 2013 trial he admitted to dissolving her body in acid, but said her death beforehand had been an accident.

He launched

an

appeal against his sentence, but earlier this month that was dismissed by the Queensland Supreme Court.

Andres is still facing a further six minor charges including interference with a corpse and fraud related to the use of his wife’s credit card.

Those charges were mentioned in the Cairns Magistrates Court yesterday where defence solicitor Stephen O’Reilly said they had virtually been stalled as they were reliant on the outcome of a possible High Court appeal.

“We remain essentially in a holding pattern,” he said.

“He is awaiting advice on leave to appeal to the High Court.

“(The summary charges) formed part of the factual matrix of the murder.”

Speaking outside court, Mr O’Reilly said he was unsure if Andres would lodge the appeal and he was no longer his legal representative.

“I’ve written to him to explain to him his options, but I’m not acting for him (at the moment),” he said.

“I’m awaiting

There is no guarantee the case will be heard by the High Court and those wishing to appeal their sentence must attend a preliminary hearing to persuade the court there are special reasons for it to be heard.

If Andres’ case is heard, that court’s decision will be final with no other avenue of appeal available.

He argued in his Queensland Supreme Court appeal that a letter from Centrelink

further

instructions.” tendered by the prosecution during the trial would “infer intent or premeditation”.

The letter, typed after his wife’s death, requested that her carer payments be transferred to his account.

But the appeal was dismissed with the three presiding judges agreeing there was no way Andres had not intended to kill his wife.

Andres is currently serving his sentence in Lotus Glen Correctional Centre. The six minor charges have been adjourned until December 14.