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Gordon Wood sues Sydney University for imputing he killed Caroline Byrne Gordon Wood sues Sydney University over articles imputing he killed Caroline Byrne
(35 minutes later)
Gordon Wood is suing Sydney University over articles promoting the work of one of its professors, who it claims helped secure the high-profile murder conviction that was later overturned on appeal.Gordon Wood is suing Sydney University over articles promoting the work of one of its professors, who it claims helped secure the high-profile murder conviction that was later overturned on appeal.
Wood spent more than three years behind bars after being convicted of killing his girlfriend, Caroline Byrne, by throwing her off a cliff at a Sydney suicide spot called the Gap in June 1995.Wood spent more than three years behind bars after being convicted of killing his girlfriend, Caroline Byrne, by throwing her off a cliff at a Sydney suicide spot called the Gap in June 1995.
His conviction was overturned in 2012 in a judgment that criticised the evidence of a crucial crown witness, Associate Professor Rod Cross.His conviction was overturned in 2012 in a judgment that criticised the evidence of a crucial crown witness, Associate Professor Rod Cross.
Related: Gordon Wood suing media for defamationRelated: Gordon Wood suing media for defamation
In the year after Wood’s conviction in 2008, Cross published a book, Evidence for Murder – How Physics Convicted a Killer, and was conducting free lectures at the university.In the year after Wood’s conviction in 2008, Cross published a book, Evidence for Murder – How Physics Convicted a Killer, and was conducting free lectures at the university.
In a claim that came before the supreme court on Friday, Wood has launched proceedings against the prestigious university over two articles on its website entitled: “Physics helps convict Gordon Wood of murder” and “Cliff fall at the Gap in Sydney”.In a claim that came before the supreme court on Friday, Wood has launched proceedings against the prestigious university over two articles on its website entitled: “Physics helps convict Gordon Wood of murder” and “Cliff fall at the Gap in Sydney”.
Wood alleges the university articles include an imputation that he murdered Byrne.Wood alleges the university articles include an imputation that he murdered Byrne.
The 2009 article “Physics helps convict Gordon Wood of murder” is still available online and has not been amended to include the fact that his conviction was overturned on appeal.The 2009 article “Physics helps convict Gordon Wood of murder” is still available online and has not been amended to include the fact that his conviction was overturned on appeal.
The only defendant is the University of Sydney.The only defendant is the University of Sydney.
Related: Gordon Wood to sue NSW, three years after murder conviction overturnedRelated: Gordon Wood to sue NSW, three years after murder conviction overturned
In the 2012 judgment, the court of criminal appeal found Cross to have conducted a series of “not particularly sophisticated” experiments to establish where Byrne could have jumped or been thrown to the location where her body was said to have been found.In the 2012 judgment, the court of criminal appeal found Cross to have conducted a series of “not particularly sophisticated” experiments to establish where Byrne could have jumped or been thrown to the location where her body was said to have been found.
The court said that rather than “remaining impartial to the outcome and offering his independent expertise to assist the court he formed the view ... [Wood] was guilty and it was his task to assist in proving his guilt.”The court said that rather than “remaining impartial to the outcome and offering his independent expertise to assist the court he formed the view ... [Wood] was guilty and it was his task to assist in proving his guilt.”
Wood has also launched legal action against the state, claiming it has cost him millions, and deliberately set out to harm him.Wood has also launched legal action against the state, claiming it has cost him millions, and deliberately set out to harm him.
Wood is claiming damages and costs on a number of grounds in that case, including malicious prosecution and false imprisonment.Wood is claiming damages and costs on a number of grounds in that case, including malicious prosecution and false imprisonment.
The matter involving Sydney University will return to court at a later date.The matter involving Sydney University will return to court at a later date.