NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell says the father of Caroline Byrne will no doubt pursue his legal avenues in appealing the acquittal of the man who was accused of murdering his daughter.
The Director of Public Prosecutions has ruled out an appeal, but Tony Byrne will challenge in the High Court Gordon Wood’s acquittal, News Ltd reported on Saturday.
Mr O’Farrell said it was evident this was a difficult time for Mr Byrne and other members of Ms Byrne’s family.
“I think every person in NSW understands the heartache that Mr Byrne and his family are going through,” he told reporters in Sydney.
“The Director of Public Prosecutions provided advice last Friday that he didn’t believe there were grounds to appeal the decision that’s clearly come as a blow to the Byrne family.”
In 2008, Mr Wood, then 46, was found guilty of murdering the model Caroline Byrne by “spear throwing” the 24-year-old off a cliff at The Gap, a notorious Sydney suicide spot at Watsons Bay, late on the night of June 7, 1995.
The NSW Court of Criminal Appeal last month overturned Mr Wood’s conviction for her murder.
News Ltd reported that Mr Byrne will make legal history when he becomes the first family member of a victim to seek to take over a criminal appeal.
“Mr Byrne will no doubt pursue his own legal avenues,” Mr O’Farrell said.
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