The tragic downfall of Liam Jurrah

[garyh007 112]

Found not guilty

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,534]

reports on Twitter that Jurrah found NOT GUILTY

[nutbean 8,837]

8 hours to acquit him.

[dees189227 11,134]

Of course he was found not guilty. Most of the people involved were drunk so the witnesses weren't exactly reliable, he is also a tribal leader and he is a footy player. He was never going to get convicted.

But doesnt he have a domestic charge to fight. he will get off that as well.

Now he must get himself back on track and regain control of his life.

[Pates 9,541]

Well I hope that he is able to move on from this and learn from it. He has an opportunity to have a life now, I hope he doesn't waste it.

[Whispering_Jack 28,096]

Inevitable on the evidence we heard and an indictment on the legal system that it went this far because it could easily have been disposed of the committal hearing stage which was when it was clear that there was so much conflicting evidence that it was going to be extremely difficult to prove anything beyond reasonable doubt.

Was this justice?

I think not. Whichever way you look at it, and Liam made mistakes, this has probably destroyed his football career and apparently his relationship with his partner. It has left Liam a broken person who needs a substantial amount of help to get his life back together and it hasn't done anything positive to bring about reconciliation within his own family let alone his community.

It leaves me cold.

[Redleg 38,188]

Inevitable on the evidence we heard and an indictment on the legal system that it went this far because it could easily have been disposed of the committal hearing stage which was when it was clear that there was so much conflicting evidence that it was going to be extremely difficult to prove anything beyond reasonable doubt.

Was this justice?

I think not. Whichever way you look at it, and Liam made mistakes, this has probably destroyed his football career and apparently his relationship with his partner. It has left Liam a broken person who needs a substantial amount of help to get his life back together and it hasn't done anything positive to bring about reconciliation within his own family let alone his community.

It leaves me cold.

Congratulations to Liam and the result many predicted. The case went to trial because if it didn't, it may have led to more violence and the Magistrate clearly didn't want to be seen throwing out the all of the charges and perhaps giving the appearance of a result for the famous. It was easier as we said at the time to leave it to others.

As a lawyer however, from what we read, if it was all true, it was ripe for dismissal at committal stage.

Liam now has a long way back to go, to get his life in order. I wish him the best of luck.

[The Lobster Effect 845]

Good luck Liam

[Loyal Royal 1]

So if Jurrah didn't do it the Police will have to go out and find who put a machette in the guy's head then?

[nutbean 8,837]

So if Jurrah didn't do it the Police will have to go out and find who put a machette in the guy's head then?

As should be the case in any crime - not sure of your point ?

[daisycutter 28,709]

I wonder how Basil and his side of the fence view this.

Will they accept it or perceive it as a failure of white-fella law and increase their demands for a tribal law payback solution, only escalating the current feud?

I hope not, but it wouldn't surprise me

[DeeSpencer 23,547]

Makes you feel for Liam. He gets dragged into a mess because one side of his family wants to spear another member of his family because they murdered someone from the other side.

He ends up where everyone else is drunk and a fight breaks out and you'd have to think that Liam was some part of it otherwise as WJ said why would the prosecution continue this case with such little chance of a verdict based on the evidence I've heard so far. Lets be honest the damage to Basil was bad but in the scheme of NT outback disputes it was pretty low key.

So now Liam still has his family fighting, his right in the middle of it and now he's seen to have gotten off soft.

I hope football can save him, which might mean going to Adelaide, getting some support and playing SANFL and staying away from half his family. His AFL dream is gone as far as I see it.

[waynewussell 4,145]

I don't want to comment on the case as others much more knowledgeable in law than me have given an informative summary. I do note, however, that Liam looked reasonably fit and physically healthy throughout proceedings. He should be commended for that alone, as many would have let themselves go in his circumstance. I think his football career is alive and well, even at AFL level... stay tuned!

[Roost It 1,434]

Good news

Here's hoping Liam can make a life for himself and at least part of his community

[waynewussell 4,145]

here's hoping this thread will be re-named "The Dramatic Resurrection Of Liam Jurrah" sometime soon!

[Deeoldfart 7,830]

Happy with this outcome from what I understand of the circumstances. Now that the court case is over, the ball is squarely in back in LJ's court.

[ThreeOneSix 953]

here's hoping this thread will be re-named "The Dramatic Resurrection Of Liam Jurrah" sometime soon!

I think Jurrah has played his best football on the big stage, he was one hell of a player and one hell of a talent.

A player like Jurrah would've killed it in the 80's and 90's, but IMO he'll struggle to cope with the rigors of a professional environment.

Like we seen with Dayle Garlett in the draft recently, it's not just about talent anymore, it's about how hard you are willing to work and buy in.

With football being a business, it will take some convincing for any side to buy in with Jurrah - considering what has gone on and his problem with the drink.

[waynewussell 4,145]

316, A bloke who has a problem with the drink is pretty easy to find in Oz... If you consider anyone who loves the idea of having a beer or a wine when socialising, a problem! If that is the measure then I have a problem. I see no evidence that Liam has a problem. He looks great!

[Muvver Jones 64]

Kind of a hollow victory for Liam. Probably could never go home without another scrap happening. His co-accused never had the quality defence he had. They will do the time. He's kind of cast adrift now. I wonder if those who have supported him will stick around for the long haul?

Edited March 21, 2013 by Muvver Jones

[Demon16 69]

i can't help but feel that if Jurrah was still at our club that this case would have run for another 6 months and he would be serving 5-10 years.

probably a good thing he left.

[pitmaster 3,138]

Inevitable on the evidence we heard and an indictment on the legal system that it went this far because it could easily have been disposed of the committal hearing stage which was when it was clear that there was so much conflicting evidence that it was going to be extremely difficult to prove anything beyond reasonable doubt.

Was this justice?

I think not. Whichever way you look at it, and Liam made mistakes, this has probably destroyed his football career and apparently his relationship with his partner. It has left Liam a broken person who needs a substantial amount of help to get his life back together and it hasn't done anything positive to bring about reconciliation within his own family let alone his community.

It leaves me cold.

You did not seem to think inevitable a couple of days back when I called it Jack, but yes, you're right about the lack of justice. It should never have gone this far. The flaws in the evidence were clear at the committal stage.

Having said all that, it is a victory for the jury system.

My one nagging doubt was that an element of racism might prevail in an Alice Springs jury. That clearly has not been the case and the jury did their job and should be recognised for that.

[ThreeOneSix 953]

316, A bloke who has a problem with the drink is pretty easy to find in Oz... If you consider anyone who loves the idea of having a beer or a wine when socialising, a problem! If that is the measure then I have a problem. I see no evidence that Liam has a problem. He looks great!

It's ok for a man to have a problem, but when he has a problem - and gets behind the wheel, then he endangers lives.

If you do the same, then I suggest that you seek some help, all the best Wayne.

[sue 8,491]

I've lost track of the order of events, but is it not likely that if it had been thrown out at committal stage, Jurrah might still be at MFC?

[ThreeOneSix 953]

I've lost track of the order of events, but is it not likely that if it had been thrown out at committal stage, Jurrah might still be at MFC?

Under Neeld, not a hope in hell..

[waynewussell 4,145]

316, stick to the facts as you know them... this would have made you a far more reliable analyst in this case!