Rayney murder charge

Barrister Lloyd Rayney, the husband of murdered mother-of-two and Supreme Court registrar Corryn Rayney, has been charged with wilful murder.

The charge came after several hours of questioning by police, who stopped Mr Rayney's car near the Bell Tower about 10.30am today.

The head of WA's homicide squad, Det-Supt Paul Coombes revealed the charge at a media conference this afternoon, but did not specifically name Mr Rayney.

The West Australian understands he was not named because of concerns over an ongoing defamation action Mr Rayney has against police.

Mr Rayney is due to appear in court tomorrow but it is understood he was charged at the East Perth Watchhouse with one count of wilful murder.

Det-Supt Coombes appealed for anyone with information about the case to contact CrimeStoppers.

Major crime and forensic officers have been at the Rayney home on Monash Avenue in Como. The street was blocked at both ends.

Mr Rayney's lawyer, Gerald Yin, arrived at the house about 2pm and spent some time talking with police.

Under the Criminal Investigation Act of 2006 police can interview a suspect for six hours before then requiring the permission of a senior office to interview for another six hours, police can then apply to a magistrate for further extensions of eight hours at a time.

Lloyd Rayney is helped into a police car at the back of Curtin House. Picture: Ben Crabtree

Sharred Weller, a witness to the activity near the Bell Tower this morning, said Mr Rayney appeared calm as he was spoken to by detectives.

He said Mr Rayney’s car had been pulled over to the side of the road and there had been about six officers at the scene.

According to the 22-year-old courier, some of the officers were questioning Mr Rayney as he stood on the pavement while another filmed the events.

Lloyd Rayney with Major Crime Squad detectives. Pic: Bohdan Warchomij

Mr Weller said that after driving past the scene about 10.45am he returned a short time later and last saw Mr Rayney sitting in the back of an unmarked police car with a detective.

“When I went past he was standing there and no one was touching him (but) it looked like they were being stern with him,” he said.

“I was a bit shocked obviously knowing that there are still investigations going on.”

Mrs Rayney went missing after a boot-scooting class in Bentley on August 7, 2007 and the 46-year-old’s body was found in Kings Park about a week later.

Lloyd Rayney's car after he was stopped on Barrack Street this morning. Picture: Steve Ferrier

Mr Rayney has continuously denied any involvement in his wife's murder and launched defamation action against the WA police for calling him the “prime suspect” in the case.

Mrs Rayney was a highly regarded and popular member of the Supreme Court team.

Lawyer Gerald Yin and police near the Rayney house. Steve Ferrier

Mr Rayney’s defamation case centres on a media conference on September 20, 2007 in which Det-Sen. Sgt Jack Lee said Mr Rayney was the “prime and only suspect” in the murder.

Mr Rayney claims he was “grossly and falsely” defamed by the comments, which had ruined his career as a lawyer.

The Rayney house in Monash Avenue.

By: Luke Eliot (the west Australia)