Robert Xie murder trial for Lin family deaths aborted a second time as judge deemed too unwell to continue

September 22, 2014

Amy Dale Chief Court ReporterThe Daily Telegraph

Robert Xie arrives at an earlier court appearnce in a prison van. Pic Stephen Cooper

THE jury in the trial of accused Lin family killer has been discharged, with the judge too unwell to continue hearing the trial.

The 15 jurors empanelled to hear an expected four months of evidence were today told they would no longer be sitting on the case.

Unwell: Judge Peter Anthony Johnson.

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Justice Peter Johnson has been unwell, and is unable to complete the trial which was due to run into next year, the Supreme Court heard.

Xie, 50, has pleaded not guilty to murdering five members of the Lin family in the bedrooms of their North Epping family home on July 18, 2009.

Not guilty plea: Robert Xie. Picture: Adam Taylor

It is the second time the trial has been discharged, with the first jury removed from the case after new evidence emerged which had a “signficant” impact on the proceedings.

The trial was adjourned last Monday morning, and hasn’t sat until today’s short announcement.

It is expected a new trial won’t begin until next year. Xie remains in custody.