NSW: Defence wants to cross examine 22 witnesses at hearing

AAP General News (Australia)
08-23-1999
NSW: Defence wants to cross examine 22 witnesses at hearing

Sydney's Central Local Court has heard lawyers for the man accused of kidnapping and
murdering KERRY WHELAN want to cross-examine 22 witnesses at his committal hearing.

Magistrate PAUL CLORAN has adjourned the application until Friday to enable him to read the
crown's five volumes related to the case.

Forty-six-year-old BRUCE ALLAN BURRELL, of Bungonia in the New South Wales southern
highlands, is charged with kidnapping and murdering Mrs WHELAN on May 6, 1997.

The wife of millionaire Sydney businessman BERNARD WHELAN disappeared after leaving a
Parramatta carpark in May 1997.

Prosecutor MARK TEDESCHI, QC, (Pron: Ted-ES-ki) outlined the case to the magistrate saying
there was an irresistible inference that Mrs WHELAN was dead and that she died as a result of
being kidnapped by BURRELL.

He said BURRELL probably acted on his own and had kidnapped the mother of three children
with a view to obtaining a massive ransom.

Mr TEDESCHI said the crown does not know how, why or when she died as her body has never
been found.

AAP RTV mss/nd/jms/jn

KEYWORD: BURRELL (SYDNEY)

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