NSW: Lawyer urges compassion for woman accused of murdering son

AAP General News (Australia)
12-12-2007
NSW: Lawyer urges compassion for woman accused of murdering son

EDS: This version can now be used in NSW and on the internet, following legal advice.

A nightlead will follow soon.)



SYDNEY, Dec 12 AAP - The lawyer for a woman accused of murdering her toddler son and
dumping his body in a Sydney park pond has appealed for public compassion for his client.

Rachel Pfitzner, 26, of Rosemeadow in Sydney, has been charged with murdering two-year-old
Dean Shillingsworth, whose body was found stuffed in a suitcase and dumped in a pond at
Ambarvale on October 17.

The case led to an outpouring of grief in the south-western Sydney community.

According to police, Dean was murdered on October 11, a week before his body was found.

Pfitzner appeared via video-link in Campbelltown Local Court today where Magistrate
Michael Stoddart adjourned her case until February 6.

She will remain in custody after being formally refused bail.

Outside the court, her lawyer Ugo Parente appealed for public compassion for Ms Pfitzner,
saying she was entitled to a fair hearing.

"I just ask that she be shown a bit of compassion at this time," Mr Parente said.

"It is a sensitive matter and it has to be dealt with fairly."

Dean's great-aunt Rita Wright also spoke to the media after the hearing, saying: "We
just want justice for the family."

Dean was known to the Department of Community Services, and his death, along with others
including the alleged starvation death of seven-year-old Shellay Ward, forced the NSW
government to set up a special commission to investigate the state's child protection
system.

Ms Pfitzner will appear at Liverpool Local Court via videolink on February 6.

The court was also told police last week seized documents from Mr Parente relating to the boy.

Mr Parente has applied for the return of the documents, and the application will also
be heard on February 6, at the same court.

AAP ab/nap/hn/sp

KEYWORD: PFITZNER (REISSUING)

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