Latest news with #RodneyGeorgeAnderson
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Health
- News.com.au
‘Psychopathic' killer who killed elderly woman, strangled fellow inmate has parole term set aside by court
A 'psychopathic' killer convicted for murdering an elderly woman and setting fire to her home, before strangling an inmate to death, has successfully appealed terms of an order preventing him from applying for parole. Rodney George Anderson was serving a life sentence for the 1995 murder of 77-year-old Ethel Adamson in her Moorooka – setting fire to her home in the process – when he murdered a fellow inmate five years later by strangling him with a TV aerial cord. He became eligible for parole in November 2020. But the Parole Board of Queensland (PBQ) in 2023 made a declaration naming him as a restricted prisoner – effectively barring Anderson from applying for parole for eight-and-a-half years. The order meant Anderson was prohibited from applying for parole until December 2031 – by which time he will be 78. In an appeal of the order to the Supreme Court, Anderson challenged the length of the term while citing his declining health conditions in custody. They include chronic kidney disease, type-2 diabetes, epilepsy, hypertension, and poor mobility requiring the use of a wheelchair. 'None of his conditions are immediately life threatening, however, he is at risk of acute deterioration due to his underlying health issues,' Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Treston said in her judgment. 'His mobility is very poor and he is experiencing regular falls.' A letter from a medical officer stated Anderson's needs were being met in custody but this would change as his condition declined. The decision to make a restricted prisoner declaration was outlined in a letter from President of the PBQ, which detailed the serious nature of offences that landed Anderson a life-imprisonment conviction, the harm he may pose to the public if granted parole and the effect the release on parole may have on the Anderson or another victim. Anderson had a 'psychopathic' personality, 'poor impulse control and demonstrated high levels of aggression' and was at risk of 'engaging in fire-setting behaviours', according to a psychiatric report and a letter from the PQB president. 'I have been informed that the prisoner presents as requiring a high level of support if he were to be released, the kind which is most likely to be facilitated in a nursing home,' the president's letter stated. 'However, given his particular risk towards vulnerable persons, it is unlikely this plan would be feasible. 'Given the above and considering all information and material before me, I am satisfied that there is a risk the prisoner may pose to the public if he is granted parole, particularly as the prisoner is a psychopath and a pyromaniac who continues to pose a moderately high risk of violent recidivism despite his advancing age and noted health issues.' In her decision, Justice Treston found the term of the restricted prisoner declaration failed to adequately consider the human rights consequences for Anderson, particularly in light of his numerous serious and worsening medical conditions. Justice Treston declared that the period imposed under the Restricted Prisoner Declaration — the term of eight-and-a-half years — was invalid and must be set aside. The court found that the 'public interest' consideration for deciding the term of the declaration must be broader than just the risk factors, such as nature of the offence, risk to public and the effect on victims. The parties will discuss the specific court order needed to implement this decision.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
'Psychopathic' killer wins fight to get back into the community early
A convicted killer, who has been described as a 'psychopath' and 'pyromaniac', has won a legal appeal to apply for parole earlier than planned. Queenslander Rodney George Anderson, who is now in his 70s, was convicted of murder twice between 1995 and 2000. A Restricted Prisoner Declaration, issued on June 5, 2023, by former parole board president Michael Byrne KC meant he could not apply for parole for eight years and six months. The legal order, which prevents a prisoner from making a regular parole application, meant Anderson could not submit a request until December 6, 2031. But on Friday, Anderson's appeal against the order on the grounds of his 'human rights' and 'right to dignity' was successful in Brisbane's Supreme Court. Anderson murdered Ethel Adamson, 77, in her home in Brisbane 's southern suburb of Moorooka in June 1995. He then attempted to set the house on fire, according to court documents from 1998. '(Ms Adamson) had been viciously assaulted but the medical evidence suggested that death was probably not immediate,' the documents read. Anderson was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in October 1997. Three years later, he was sentenced for murdering another prisoner by using a television cord to strangle them because they were 'irritating' those around him, the court heard on Friday. The Supreme Court heard Judge Byrne considered both murders, which he said 'demonstrated gratuitous violence', when issuing his restriction declaration. A factor he also cited was psychiatric evidence which demonstrated Anderson had a 'psychopathic personality with poor impulse control', the court heard. The evidence also found he had 'high levels of aggression'. 'The prisoner had demonstrated a lack of any true guilt or remorse for his behaviour which was in line with his psychopathic personality,' Judge Byrne said. The court heard that, in 2023, no one challenged the conclusion Anderson was a 'psychopath and a pyromaniac who continues to pose a moderately high risk of violent recidivism'. In considering Anderson's appeal on Friday, Justice Rebecca Treston said the killer was not arguing Judge Byrne's declaration but the order's length of time. Anderson's legal team based their argument on the decline of the prisoner's health. 'The applicant places particular emphasis on the fact that his medical needs are likely to significantly deteriorate in the future,' the court heard. 'And even if his needs cannot be properly met in the corrective services environment, he will not be able to apply for parole until December 6, 2031.' Anderson suffers from a range of chronic conditions, including a benign tumour at the base of his brain, type-2 diabetes, epilepsy and chronic kidney disease. The court heard that, in 2023, a senior medical officer of the Wolston Medical Centre recommended Anderson would need medical support outside of the prison system. 'The patient's needs are likely to become more difficult to meet in the corrective environment and his care may be more appropriately managed in a supported community or nursing home setting,' they said. Justice Treston told the court she thought the length of the prohibitive order had been made 'without explanation' and ruled in favour of Anderson's appeal. 'I find that the period imposed under the Restricted Prisoner Declaration of 23 June 2023 is invalid and should be set aside,' she said. She will hear from both parties at a later date regarding the suitable length of time for the order.
