A previously acquitted man will face a new trial over an alleged 2009 killing in Logan, after prosecutors presented fresh evidence including two alleged confessions.
BRISBANE, 13 October 2026 — In a landmark decision for Queensland’s criminal justice system, the Court of Appeal has ordered the state’s first murder retrial under double jeopardy legislation, overturning the previous acquittal of a man accused of a killing nearly two decades ago.
The man, whose identity cannot legally be disclosed, was arrested in 2023 and charged for a second time in connection with the alleged murder of another man in Logan, south of Brisbane, in 2009.
The Director of Public Prosecutions applied to the Court of Appeal in March, seeking permission to reopen the case on the grounds that fresh and compelling evidence had emerged.
Prosecutors argued that the new material, which included two alleged confessions, was sufficiently significant to justify setting aside the original acquittal.
However, defence lawyers challenged the reliability of those alleged confessions, highlighting what they described as a material inconsistency. They maintained that ordering another trial would not serve the interests of justice.
On Tuesday, the Court of Appeal ruled in favour of the prosecution, quashing the man’s previous acquittal and authorising a new murder trial.
A historic legal precedent
The ruling represents a significant moment in Queensland legal history and raises important questions about the balance between finality in criminal proceedings and the pursuit of justice when new evidence emerges.
The principle of double jeopardy traditionally protects individuals from being prosecuted twice for the same offence after an acquittal.
However, legislative reforms introduced exceptions for certain serious criminal offences, including murder, where fresh and compelling evidence becomes available.
Under Queensland law, the Court of Appeal must be satisfied that the evidence meets strict legal requirements and that a retrial is in the interests of justice.
Tuesday’s decision marks the first successful use of these provisions to secure a murder retrial in the state.
It is only the second time Queensland’s double jeopardy legislation has been invoked. The previous application, in 2018, concerned an unrelated case and was ultimately dismissed by the Court of Appeal.
What happens next?
The accused will now face fresh criminal proceedings over the alleged 2009 murder.
The decision does not establish guilt. The prosecution must still prove its case beyond reasonable doubt before a court.
The ruling could become an important reference point for future applications involving historic homicide investigations and newly discovered evidence.
Further details about the retrial, including its timetable, have yet to be confirmed.
This is a developing story. Further updates will follow as additional information becomes available.
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