AUSTRALIAN RULES GVFL MAD MONDAY DEATH:- Lovel is not guilty (SNews) TATURA FOOTBALL PLAYER ACQUITTED OF MANSLAUGHTER OF TERENCE KEENAN Shepparton Supreme Court was charged with emotion yesterday as William John Lovel was acquitted of the manslaughter of Terence Keenan. The jury was sent out shortly after noon and deliberated for several hours before returning to deliver the verdict at 2.50 pm. Supporters of both men sat quietly in the crowded courtroom, gripping hands with loved ones and wiping tears of anticipation from their eyes as they awaited the jurors’ return. Mr Lovel, 22, held his head in his hands and cried in the dock as the five-man and seven woman jury filed into court and delivered the not guilty verdict. Friends and family members flocked to embrace Mr Lovel as Justice Elizabeth Hollingworth told the man he was free to leave the court. Mr Keenan’s family shook their heads in disbelief as the verdict sunk in. Police escorted one family member from the courtroom after an emotional outburst towards Mr Lovel. The verdict caps an emotional and controversial case that has gripped the Tatura community for more than a year. Mr Lovel last week pleaded not guilty to one count of manslaughter following an incident at Tatura Hotel on October 1 last year. More than 20 witnesses testified in the eight-day trial, during which the Tatura premiership footballer argued he acted in self-defence when he punched Mr Keenan, 60, unconscious during ‘‘Mad Monday’’ celebrations. Mr Keenan died 13 days later without regaining consciousness.
Posted on: Wed, 16 Oct 2013 22:00:04 +0000
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