Norfolk Island Murder

Posted by Philippa Rowlands Mar 4, 2007

The trial of alleged Norfolk Island murderer Glenn McNeill is currently underway, with Norfolk Island crime rates very low and violent crime almost non-existent the island community was devastated by the stabbing murder of Ms Janelle Patton, a 29-year-old Sydney woman, who was killed on Easter Sunday 2002.

Following this dreadful crime the local community came together to grieve the death of this visitor to their island haven and all were relieved when Glenn McNeill, a New Zealand chef, was arrested for the crime.

Glenn McNeill has pleaded not guilty to Janelle’s murder in the Norfolk Island Supreme Court.

Today, March 5th 2007, Crown prosecutor Dan Howard SC, beginning his closing address to the 11 jurors, outlined the evidence desperate fight Janelle must have has to try and save her life in the face of an overwhelming knife attack.

Mr Howard told the court "Her obvious defensive injuries are clear evidence that she tried in vain to defend herself from a knife attack."

Glenn McNeill claims mental health problems when he "admitted stabbing Janelle Patton" when he was first arrested, and that what he told the police was complete rubbish.

Norfolk Islanders hope the case will end soon and that the trial of Glenn McNeill will end speculation about many consider the “worst crime” ever committed on the island