Perth man dumps fourth lawyer days before alleged hit trial

Summarised from 2 outlets · 4 reports · Updated 12 Oct, 08:24 · Archive

Shiv Sheetal, accused of organising a hit on his father-in-law in India, has dismissed his fourth lawyer immediately before trial.

Shiv Sheetal, 44, a Perth man accused of organising a botched hit against his father-in-law in Kahlon Village, Punjab, in February 2023, has dismissed his fourth lawyer on the eve of his trial in the Western Australian Supreme Court. Sheetal sent a handwritten letter to the court expressing lack of confidence in John Hawkins, his Legal Aid-funded counsel, just before the trial was due to start.

Hawkins told the court that his client no longer wished him to continue as counsel and that he himself had no confidence he could proceed. Sheetal told the court that Hawkins had not followed his instructions. Justice Joseph McGrath asked what Sheetal's issues were, saying the state case was straightforward and everything had been 'meticulously put', and that Sheetal should have full confidence in Hawkins given his vast experience.

Justice McGrath issued a strict warning, telling Sheetal that if he returned to court without a lawyer at the next trial date he would have to self-represent. 'Let me assure you, if at the next trial date you turn up and do this, you should have your opening address ready,' the judge said. State prosecutor Justin Whalley told the court it was not known why Sheetal's other lawyers had changed. Whalley said if Sheetal was searching for a lawyer who supported his prospect for acquittal, he would never find one.

How it is being reported

• Perth man Shiv Sheetal, 44, sacks fourth lawyer a day before trial over alleged hit on ex father-in-lawAn Australian man accused of hiring a hit man in India to kill his father-in-law has sacked his fourth lawyer the day before trial.Perth Now · 12 Oct, 07:51
• Perth man Shiv Sheetal, 44, sacks fourth lawyer a day before trial over alleged hit on ex father-in-lawAn Australian man accused of hiring a hit man in India to kill his father-in-law has sacked his fourth lawyer the day before trial.Perth Now · 12 Oct, 07:51
• Perth man Shiv Sheetal, 44, sacks fourth lawyer a day before trial over alleged hit on ex father-in-lawAn Australian man accused of hiring a hit man in India to kill his father-in-law has sacked his fourth lawyer the day before trial.The West Australian · 12 Oct, 07:50
• Perth man Shiv Sheetal accused of organising botched hit against father-in-law dumps fourth lawyerA Perth man accused of organising a botched hit against his father-in-law in India has sensationally dumped his fourth lawyer at the eleventh hour before his trial.The West Australian · 12 Oct, 05:16

In this story: Shiv Sheetal · John Hawkins · Joseph McGrath · Justin Whalley · Perth · Kahlon Village · Punjab

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem