Appeal challenges conviction in Toyah Cordingley murder case
Rajwinder Singh appealed his conviction for murdering Cairns woman Toyah Cordingley in 2018. He cited improper jury dismissal and trial flaws.
A Brisbane appeals court heard arguments from Rajwinder Singh, convicted of stabbing and killing Toyah Cordingley on Wangetti Beach in October 2018. Singh's lawyer said the trial judge made an error by dismissing one juror without investigating why.
The judge relied only on an unexamined note from another juror. The defence also challenged how the jury was kept apart during a site visit.
They said the jurors may not have all received the same evidence. Singh's life sentence with a 25-year non-parole period was challenged as too harsh.
The appeals court will consider its verdict in several weeks.
- October 21, 2018
- Date of death
- Wangetti Beach, north of Cairns
- Location
- Life with 25-year non-parole period
- Sentence
- 24 years old
- Victim age
Why it mattersA successful appeal could order a new trial or reduce Singh's sentence. This affects whether justice in this well-known case holds up under legal review.
AustraliaThe case affects Cairns, Queensland, and reflects the appeals process for serious crimes in Australian courts. Any finding of trial error has implications for victim families and public confidence in murder convictions.
Corroborated byperthnow.com.au·smh.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
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