Neill has specialised in conducting criminal trials for over 10 years and also appears at appeals (County Court and Supreme Court - Court of Appeal), Order 56 reviews, inquests and confiscation matters.
Neill also appears regularly in administrative hearings (licensing and disciplinary).
Neill is a Victoria Legal Aid Criminal Trial Preferred barrister and holds the Indictable Crime Certificate.
He has the following experience (some notable cases and results):
Supreme Court:
- In 2017 Neill acted for a man charged with murder in the 'missing body' case. Following a 5 week trial the jury acquitted the client of murder and manslaughter.
(see link http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/no-body-no-murder-the-curious-case-of-...)
- In 2016 Neill acted for a man charged with accessory to murder in relation to a body found dumped in a mine shaft. The client was convicted and placed on a community correction order after pleading guilty to accessory to manslaughter (a lesser offence).
(see link http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/second-person-charged-over-body-found-...)
- In 2016 Neill prosecuted (as junior) a shooting murder.
(see link http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/law-order/alexander-john-semaan-jailed-...)
- In 2015 Neill prosecuted (as junior) a drug trafficker who was alleged to have murdered and dismembered the body of a man he believed to have informed on him. The body was never found. The accused was convicted. - In 2011 acting for a client charged with historical sex offences against three relatives - result client acqtuitted of all bar one count receiving a non-custodial sentence.
(see link http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/law-order/true-crime-scene/icefuelled-t...)
- In 2014 Neill acted for a young man charged with murdering his girlfriend by shooting her. In a negotiated outcome the client pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
(see link http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/mehmet-torun-sentenced-to-eight-years-...)
- In 2014 Neill prosecuted (as junior) a man charged with murdering his wife in an entirely circumstantial case. The accused was convicted.
(see link http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/robert-meade-jailed-for-23-years-for-m...)
- In 2012 Neill prosecuted (as junior) the man accused of the infamous 2009 Churchill Bushfire in which 10 people died. The accused was convicted and sentenced to a term of imprisonment of almost 18 years.
(see link http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-04-27/black-saturday-arsonist-sentenced-...)
- In 2011 Neill acted for a client charged with murder over a 2010 shooting of two men in Ballarat. The client was acquitted of all charges (murder, attempted murder, defensive homicide, attempted defensive homicide and manslaughter).
(see link http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/559147/ballarat-murder-trial-lucas-te...)
County Court:
- In 2015 Neill acted for a young man (22) in a trial for dangerous driving causing death. The issue involved exact placement of the man's vehicle on the roadway. Following a 14 day trial involving two experts the jury returned a 'not guilty' verdict.- In 2010 acting for a client charged with culpable driving and dangerous driving causing death. Result - client acquitted of both charges.
- In 2010 Neill acted for a client charged with historical sex offences against two sisters and a daughter - result client acqtuitted of all bar one count receiving a non-custodial sentence (similar case - different client to the one listed above).
- In 2010 Neill acted for a client charged with rape (x3) and sexual penetration (x3) - acquitted on all counts.
