Still No Verdict In Loader Death Case

Newcastle Herald

Thursday June 27, 2002

A NEWCASTLE jury has once more failed to return a verdict in the case of a front-end loader driver charged with the manslaughter of a teenage boy.

Wayne Kelvin Lavender, 44, of Whitebridge, was driving a 27-tonne loader at Rainbow Sands quarry, Redhead, on October 2 last year when it hit and killed 13-year-old Michael Milne.

The boy had been playing with three friends and was hiding in bushland.

Mr Lavender has pleaded not guilty to feloniously slaying the boy and driving the loader in a dangerous manner causing death.

The trial's 12 jurors, who have heard evidence since Tuesday last week, first retired to consider their verdict before noon on Tuesday this week.

The jury was divided late on Tuesday and the case was adjourned to yesterday.

The jury remained divided yesterday and the case was further adjourned to today.

In a recorded police interview played in court, Mr Lavender said the loader was only travelling about 4kmh when it struck the boy.

© 2002 Newcastle Herald

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