High Court restores murder conviction for man in partner's 2022 death
The murder conviction of Michael O'Connell for Danielle Jordan has been restored. The High Court overturned an appeal court's decision.
Michael O'Connell was originally sentenced to 15 years in 2024. O'Connell murdered his former partner Danielle Jordan on 15 April 2022.
O'Connell threw her from the bonnet of his ute in Melba. Ms Jordan died two days later when her life support was switched off.
The ACT Court of Appeal overturned that conviction in June 2025. O'Connell was found guilty of manslaughter instead.
Michael O'Connell was re-sentenced in December 2025 to 10 years imprisonment. The ACT Director of Public Prosecutions appealed to the High Court.
They argued murder was the correct charge. On 4 November, the High Court agreed and restored the murder conviction.
The case now goes back to the Court of Appeal to decide what sentence should apply.
Why it mattersA serious crime conviction has been restored after two years of legal appeals. This could mean a longer prison term for the man convicted.
AustraliaThis is an Australian High Court decision affecting an ACT legal case, setting precedent for how conviction appeals are handled in murder cases.
Corroborated bycanberratimes.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
