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Convicted paedophile
Peter Ellis has had his plea for a free pardon turned down by
Governor-General Sir Michael Hardie Boys. But Sir Michael had agreed to a
second request, to widen the terms under which his case to the Court of
Appeal can be heard, Justice Minister Tony Ryall
said today. Ellis petitioned the
Governor-General for a second time in November last year for the exercise of
the royal prerogative of mercy. His first petition, in December 1997,
resulted in the case being referred back to the Court of Appeal. The appeal
is due to be heard later this month. The second petition sought a free
pardon for Ellis, or alternatively for his case to be considered by the Court
of Appeal on broader grounds than previously referred. Mr Ryall
said today he had advised the Governor-General that the terms of reference of
the case to the Court of Appeal should be broadened after receiving advice
from retired High Court judge Sir Thomas Thorp. He had also advised it was
inappropriate to consider the pardon application at this stage. "The Governor-General has
concluded that, at this stage, Mr Ellis' case is
more appropriately dealt with by the courts. The Governor-General has not
decided Mr Ellis' guilt or innocence," said Mr Ryall. |
