Blewitt v The Queen; Browne v The Queen

These applications for special leave to appeal concerned the convictions of Terence Leigh Blewitt and Clayton Joseph Browne for various offences, including malicious wounding, robbery, and stealing motor vehicles. The applicants sought to appeal their convictions to the High Court of Australia.

The primary legal issue before the High Court was whether the evidence presented at trial was sufficient to support the convictions, particularly concerning the identification of the applicants and the admissibility of certain statements. For Mr. Blewitt, the court was asked to consider the reliability of an identification made by an inspector from a newspaper photograph of triathletes, and the weight to be given to statements allegedly made by Mr. Blewitt regarding his involvement in the crimes and preparations for flight. The court also had to consider the evidence of a statement allegedly made by Mr. Blewitt to his brother, and the brother's subsequent denial of having relayed this information to the police.

The High Court, in this transcript, appears to be in the preliminary stages of considering the applications for special leave. The Chief Justice questioned the focus of the applicants' submissions, noting that the characteristics justifying special leave were not immediately apparent. The discussion then turned to the factual background of Mr. Blewitt's conviction, including the nature of the offences, the sentence imposed, and the specific pieces of evidence relied upon by the Crown, such as the inspector's identification and statements made by the applicant. The court was also examining the circumstances surrounding the alleged statement made by Mr. Blewitt to his brother and the brother's denial.