A man accused of killing his estranged partner's ex-boyfriend in the Blue Mountains two years ago has been cleared of all charges.
Kieran O'Connor stood trial in the NSW Supreme Court charged with the murder of Andrew Sobolewsky at Lawson on June 18, 2012.
The court heard Mr O'Connor allegedly "drove deliberately" towards Mr Sobolewsky of Perth, and that he had been arguing with his estranged partner, Lauren Hilton, just before the incident. Mr Sobolewsky was Ms Hilton's ex-partner.
But Mr O'Connor told police that Mr Sobolewsky had thrown himself onto his car "like a stuntman", and that he swerved to miss him.
Prosecutors said Mr O'Connor's version of events was contradicted by the fact that the victim was found trapped underneath the car and the bonnet was not damaged.
But Mr O'Connor, who was charged with murder and dangerous driving occasioning death, was acquitted of all charges.
Lyn Sobolewsky, Andrew Sobolewsky's mother, told the Gazette she was "totally shocked" by the not guilty decision.
"I am heartsick that my son's life has been ended ... and angry and thoroughly disillusioned with the state of our judicial system," Mrs Sobolewsky said.
"To claim that my son leapt upon the bonnet of his car but there were no dents, no scratches, no damage whatsoever to any part of his car ... has left me doubting the state of our justice system.
"It almost makes me ashamed to be Australian."
