Conviction quashed, retrial ordered over kill cover-up

By Jack Gramenz

Carly McBride's unburied skeletal remains were found by bushwalkers at Owens Gap in the NSW Hunter. (HANDOUT/NSW POLICE)

A man will face retrial over allegations he helped dump a murdered woman's body in remote bushland after a successful appeal led to his conviction being quashed.

James Anthony Cunneen was jailed for at least four years in November 2022 after being found guilty of accessory after the fact for helping Sayle Kenneth Newson try to cover up his murder of Carly McBride in September 2014.

Ms McBride's unburied skeletal remains were found by bushwalkers at Owens Gap, west of Scone in the NSW Hunter region, in August 2016.

Newson was jailed for at least 19 years and nine months in December 2021 after murdering Ms McBride following a short relationship marred by jealousy and possessiveness.

His appeal was dismissed earlier in March.

Cunneen had his conviction quashed and a retrial ordered by the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal on Wednesday after arguing the prosecution's circumstantial case led to an unreasonable verdict, among other appeal grounds.

The court's reasons are restricted from publication.

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