Mansell appeals Puddy murder conviction

APPEAL: Killer Cameron Mansell is appealing his conviction for murdering businessman Craig Puddy. Source: PerthNow

MURDERER Cameron Mansell has been repeatedly warned by a West Australian judge not to "waste time'' by trying to introduce new evidence during his appeal hearing.

Mansell was sentenced to life in prison with an 18-year minimum in November 2011 after a jury found him guilty of murdering Perth multi-millionaire Craig Puddy, 45, who went missing in May 2010.

His appeal against the conviction began in the WA Court of Appeal today before three judges who were less than impressed with Mansell, who was representing himself and trying to introduce new evidence.

"If you waste your time we will be forced to give you a time limit,'' Judge Carmel McLure said.

"You are confined to the evidence at trial.''

Judge McLure reminded Mansell the appeal hearing was not an opportunity for him to give evidence, which he did not do during his trial, and if he did not follow court rules there was little point in proceeding.

She said his submissions to the court could only make reference to evidence given during the trial.

Mansell, who worked at a bar part-owned by Mr Puddy, has denied killing his employer after he was confronted about stealing money.

During his trial, Mansell's lawyers argued he was at Mr Puddy's home when three thugs entered and killed Mr Puddy over a drug debt, and then framed Mansell for the murder.

After an eight-week trial, a jury found Mansell guilty of murder.

At his appeal on Wednesday, Mansell described the case against him as ``improbable'' because it relied on an emotional and financial motive that did not exist, as well as evidence from his family members that was not true.

Mansell said he had been portrayed in the media as a man who had fled WA and was being hunted by police, which was a ``lie''.

``I was not hiding from police because I was coming back to town,'' he told the court.

Mansell was found camping in Queensland and was brought back to Perth to face the murder charge.

Mr Puddy's family was in court to hear the appeal, which is continuing.

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Killer Mansell 'wasting time' in court

News Images of Cameron Mansell Supplied by Cameron Mansell from Jail (Criag Puddy murder) A scan of the note too. Source: PerthNow

CONVICTED murderer Cameron Mansell is "wasting time'' with unsuccessful court applications when he should be focusing on his appeal next week, a West Australian Supreme Court judge says.

Mansell was sentenced to life in prison with an 18-year minimum in November 2011 after a jury found him guilty of murdering Perth multi-millionaire Craig Puddy, 45, who went missing in May 2010.

Mansell has made several interlocutory applications to the Court of Appeal, including three new applications that were rejected today.

"The appellant is wasting time by bringing meritless interlocutory applications, time which could be spent on preparation for the appeal,'' Justice Christopher Pullin said.

The first application was that the guilty verdict be set aside because the state had not complied with statutory requirements, rendering some exhibits inadmissible and breaching part of the disclosure process regarding witnesses not called to testify. Justice Pullin said he would treat it as an application for leave to amend the grounds of appeal, but noted it should be dismissed because the points had previously been raised in another ground that was rejected.

The second application related to discs containing media reports about the case to be submitted into evidence with the word 'Mansell' used 349 times, the words 'murder' or 'killed' used 99 times, and 'Puddy' used 153 times.

He argued the articles would have left a "lasting imprint'' in jury members' psyche, thus influencing their decision-making process.

Mansell claimed the evidence was relevant to two grounds of his appeal, but Justice Pullin dismissed the notion.
The third application was to vacate the date for the appeal hearing, which is due to begin next Wednesday.

Mansell claimed there were "obstructions'' to his preparation because he was in custody, but Justice Pullin rejected the assertion.

Mansell, who worked at a bar part-owned by Mr Puddy, has denied killing his employer after he was confronted about stealing money.

During his trial, Mansell's lawyers argued he was at Mr Puddy's home when three thugs entered and killed Mr Puddy over a drug debt, and then framed Mansell for the murder.

After an eight-week trial, a jury found Mansell guilty of murder.

View the original article here