Qld: Police forced to use old DNA evidence in Lacey case

AAP General News (Australia)
12-18-2008
Qld: Police forced to use old DNA evidence in Lacey case

By Christine Flatley

BRISBANE, Dec 18 AAP - Queensland police have been refused permission to gather fresh
DNA samples from two brothers facing a string of drugs charges.

Dionne Matthew Lacey, 21, and Jade Michael Lacey, 25 - sons of Gold Coast millionaire
Ken Lacey - were charged with drug trafficking in August following a year-long police
operation.

Dionne faces nine charges, including the trafficking and supply of MDMA (ecstasy) and
cannabis and possession of cocaine and the steroid methandienone.

Jade faces five charges, including trafficking MDMA, possession of cocaine and the
supply of a handgun.

Queensland police recently applied to the Brisbane Magistrates Court for permission
to take fresh DNA samples, photographs and fingerprints from the pair to use in prosecuting
the case.

However, magistrate Bronwyn Springer on Thursday refused the application.

She did, however, say current legislation would allow police to use identifying evidence
gathered from the brothers during earlier investigations relating to murder and attempted
murder charges.

Jade and his younger brother Dionne were committed in March on charges of murder and
unlawful wounding over the death of 23-year-old Kevin Palmer at a Gold Coast house party
in May 2007.

Both were also committed to stand trial in May on a string of separate charges - including
attempted murder and torture - relating to allegations they forced a man to dig his own
grave over a failed drug heist.

The pair remain in custody after making a number of failed bail applications.

AAP cf/pjo/it/mo

KEYWORD: LACEY

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