Read full summary of Wedderburn murders here: Wedderburn murderer told police: ‘I’m not sorry’
THE Supreme Court in Melbourne has heard a man charged with murdering three people in Wedderburn wishes to change his plea.
Ian Francis Jamieson, 65, appeared at a hearing in Melbourne on Friday morning.
His new legal representative Daryl Wraith told the court Jamieson intends to change his plea, but did not specify to which murder.
Jamieson pleaded guilty to the murders of Peter and Mary Lockhart on the first day of the trial, but not guilty to the murder of Greg Holmes.
The next day, he pleaded guilty to the murder of Mr Holmes.
He will now attempt to change a plea again, the court heard.
"(My instructor), who was contacted as I understand it either by the wife or daughter of the accused as I understand, but I haven’t had a chance to speak to my client, that he wishes to change his plea,” Mr Wraith said.
The Supreme Court in Bendigo had already part-heard the prosecution case against Jamieson, outlining the stabbing of Mr Holmes and shootings of Mr and Mrs Lockhart.
Crown Prosecutor Andrew Tinney said it was a “simple case”.
“Your client made… full admissions on everything,” he told Jamieson’s new lawyer.
“The forensic evidence, he had the guns, he had the knife, there’s the blood, there’s everything. There’s no question he committed the acts.
“The only possible defence he raised is in relation to one – was self defence and/or intent.”
The latest development further frustrated Justice Elizabeth Hollingworth, who said a change of plea was only allowed in “exceptional circumstances”.
“I have to be satisfied there’s a miscarriage of justice,” she said.
“The face he’s changed his mind and flip flop again are not exceptional circumstances and wouldn’t give rise to a miscarriage of justice.”
The matter was adjourned until Thursday, May 5, to give Mr Wraith time to read through the case and to apply for Legal Aid for Jamieson.
