Red Shore Bassist Cleared Of Death Charges

The bass player of heavy metal band THE RED SHORE has been cleared by a jury of causing a fatal 2007 accident which claimed the lives of a bandmate and crewmember.

Jamie Hope was alleged to have fallen asleep at the wheel of the group's mini-bus and crashed into a tree, killing lead singer Damien Morris and roadie Andy Milner in December, 2007.

Three other men also suffered serious injuries in the crash in Australia, which happened on the Pacific Highway north of Coffs Harbour after the band performed in Brisbane.

Hope pleaded not guilty to five charges, including dangerous driving causing death, with defence lawyers arguing it was merely a tragic accident.

And on Wednesday morning (30Sep09), a jury in the Coffs Harbour District Court deliberated for just 90 minutes before returning a not guilty verdict on all five charges.

Morris' mother Ruth Naismith was overjoyed to hear Hope was cleared of the charges - because she is convinced the collision was an accident.

She says, "I talked to Jamie, he's okay, he was crying. I said, 'God bless you darling, get on with your life now.' He said, 'Thanks, thank you for supporting me.' There's no blame because there was no malice in it, it was an accident."