NSW: Liati only concerned once press had statement, court told

AAP General News (Australia)
02-11-2009
NSW: Liati only concerned once press had statement, court told

SYDNEY, Feb 11 AAP - Angela Liati was happy to lie to police about driving Marcus Einfeld's
car the day it was caught speeding, but only became concerned when the press got a hold
of her statement, prosecutors say.

Liati, 56, told police she was behind the wheel of the former Federal Court judge's
silver Lexus when it was snapped travelling at 60km/h in a 50km/h zone in Sydney's north
on January 8, 2006.

Einfeld, who initially denied driving the car, later pleaded guilty to the speeding offence.

Liati has pleaded not guilty in the NSW District Court to making a false statement
to police with the intention of perverting the course of justice.

She has admitted to fabricating parts of her first statement to police, but says it
was only meant to be a "casual draft" version of events.

Liati, who is defending herself, has told the jury that while she was in Einfeld's
car, she may have confused the date.

While cross-examining Liati on Wednesday, crown prosecutor Lou Lungo said it was clear
she had only become concerned about the statement once the press got their hands on it.

"You never complained ... in your first on-air (radio) interview about your statement
being released to police, did you?" Mr Lungo asked Liati.

"I don't know if I did, but why would I?" she replied.

"You complained about it being released to the media though, didn't you?" he said.

"That's what I was upset about," she said.

Mr Lungo said it had been Liati's intention all along to give police the statement.

The crown is preparing to make its final address to the jury.

AAP kaj/evt/cdh

KEYWORD: LIATI

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