Didgeridoo murderer jailed for life

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

AN Atherton man has been jailed for life for murdering one flatmate with a didgeridoo and assaulting two others.

A Cairns Supreme Court jury took just over four hours to find Curtis Lloyd Mitchell, 38, guilty on all counts, handing down its verdict about 8.15pm yesterday after a five-day trial.

Mitchell was given a life sentence for murdering his 43-year-old housemate, David Rolley, on Easter Saturday in 2004 and two years jail for two counts of assault occasioning bodily harm while armed.

It is the second trial for Mitchell, whose previous life sentence after the first six-day trial in April last year was overturned on appeal and a retrial ordered.

Three Supreme Court judges in August found the previous trial judge’s instructions to the jurors could have misled them about lies told by Mitchell.

In his summary of the case yesterday, Justice Stanley Jones told the court Mr Rolley had been killed by a head injury from repeated trauma with a blunt instrument.

Police have issued a warning that a dangerous batch of ecstasy pills is circulating amongst the Cairns partty scene.

Killer pills hit Cairns

KILLER pills are being sold as ecstasy to party drug users in Cairns, police warn. more

<strong> Still critical: </strong>Injured base jumper Hamish McCorkindale, of Mossman, survived a 260m plunge at Wallaman Falls.

Jumper's mate says thanks

THE close mate of a daredevil Mossman base jumper who was last night clinging to life in Townsville Hospital has given heartfelt thanks to his friend's rescuers. more

<strong>Support:</strong> TTNQ boss Rob Giason supports Air New Zealand's decision.

Kiwis fly to North's rescue

CAIRNS' fightback from the damaging blow to the loss of Japanese tourists continues to gain momentum with Air New Zealand increasing flights during the Australian summer. more

<strong>Drama:</strong> Smithfield High School students rehearse the zombie dance. (From left) Jess Dawson, Danielle Mangano, James Elmer, Molly Rees and (front) Ying-sun Li.

Eisteddfod's cast of thousands

THE performances have been polished, the stage has been swept and the judges are ready to watch the city's talented youth competing in the Cairns and District Junior Eisteddfod. more

<strong>Busted:</strong> The war on drugs continues in the Far North with police last week taking down a sophisticated hydroponic
cannabis growing operation in a house near Innisfail.

Stolen power boosts drugs

EIGHT weeks' worth of electricity was stolen to power an elaborate hydroponic cannabis operation south of Innisfail, police allege. more

We welcome your comments on this story. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Please provide your full name. We also require a working email address - not for publication, but for verification. The location field is optional. Read our publication guidelines.

Submit your feedback here:

Full name:		Email address:
Location (optional):
Your comments: (max 1200 characters)
	Remember my details (So you don't have to retype your details each time you send feedback.) Email me if my comment is published