Tasmanian DPP Tim Ellis sacked almost two years after causing car crash which killed young woman. ABC: TOM NIGHTINGALE Tasmanias Director of Public Prosecutions, Tim Ellis, has been sacked almost two years after causing a fatal accident on the Midland Highway. Premier Will Hodgman and Attorney-General Vanessa Goodwin announced 59-year-old Ellis would not continue in the role of DPP, after the Governor accepted their recommendation he be removed from the position. Ellis was given a four-month suspended jail sentence last month, after losing an appeal against a finding that he caused the death of 27-year-old Natalia Pearn by negligent driving on the Midland Highway in March 2013. Ellis had pleaded not guilty to the charge of death by negligent driving claiming he suffered from sleep apnoea and may have fallen asleep at the wheel. The Attorney-General said she had told the Pearn family about the decision to sack Ellis. In leaving the position, Ellis will not be given a payout but will receive his accrued annual and long service leave entitlements which amount to approximately $290,000. In a statement, Dr Goodwin said she acknowledged the community concern about Mr Ellis being suspended on full pay from his $500,000 per annum job for such a long time. At present there is no legal power to suspend the Director of Public Prosecutions without pay and the Government intends to look into this, she said. The Government shares the communitys concern and I will return to this matter at a later stage. Dr Goodwin said the Government would start working through a process to appoint the next DPP. In the meantime, Mr Daryl Coates SC, who has so ably filled the role of Acting DPP while this matter is resolved, will continue in that role, she said. The decision has been applauded by legal experts. Mathew Verney from the Law Society of Tasmania said he had expected the decision. I think it would have been very difficult for Mr Ellis, with a suspended sentence hanging over his head, to continue in the role, whether that be appearing in court or even just discharging his responsibilities, he said. Timeline of events:Collapse 2013March 24: Ellis crashes into Natalia Pearns car on Midland HighwayOctober 1: Ellis pleads not guilty causing death by negligent drivingNovember 18: Ellis suspended from $500,000 pa job on full entitlements; Daryl Coates becomes Acting DPP 2014March: Trial beginsJune 26: Ellis found guilty of causing death by negligent drivingJuly 11: Ellis lodges appeal against findingJuly 15: Interim stay placed on sentencing, search for judge to hear appealNovember 11: Victorian judge hears appeal against guilty findingDecember 3: Justice David Harper dismisses appeal December 23: Ellis given four-month suspended jail sentence, banned from driving for two years 2015Ellis sacked as Tasmanias Director of Public Prosecutions
Posted on: Fri, 23 Jan 2015 04:42:53 +0000
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