Crime Commission boss to give evidence against his former lieutenant Mark Standen

By LISA DAVIES, Chief Court Reporter From: The Daily Telegraph March 14, 2011 1:07PM

THE head of the NSW Crime Commission will give evidence against his former lieutenant Mark Standen, who is about to face a trial on drugs charges.

Standen, the former assistant director of the Commission's investigations is charged with conspiracy to import a controlled precursor drug, being pseudoephedrine; taking part in the supply of 300kg of that drug; and perverting the course of justice.

Standen has pleaded not guilty to all three charges.

A large panel of potential jurors was read a witness list by Senior Crown Prosecutor Tim Game SC ahead of the trial's formal commencement this morning.

He said key witnesses would include investigating officers from the Australian Federal Police, Crime Commission boss Philip Bradley and other senior staff there.

Mr Game also said a large portion of the case would involve listening device and telephone intercept material.

A jury of six men and six women has now been empanelled, with Justice Bruce James telling them to ignore all previous media reporting of the case and to judge the case solely on the evidence presented during the trial.

"The accused is not guilty of anything unless or until he's proven guilty," he said.

Justice James sent the jury away until Wednesday, when Mr Game will open the Crown case with the evidence to begin shortly thereafter.