Titus Day seeks state payment after fraud convictions overturned

Titus Day, the former manager of pop star Guy Sebastian, is seeking nearly $1 million in legal costs from the state after his fraud convictions were overturned. In November 2022, Day was sentenced to at least two-and-a-half years in prison after being found guilty of 34 fraud-related charges, including the misappropriation of over $620,000 from Sebastian. Following an appeal, the Court of Criminal Appeal determined that there had been a miscarriage of justice due to the conduct of the Crown prosecutor, leading to the quashing of Day's convictions. As Day prepares for a retrial next year, his legal team has filed for a temporary stay of the retrial until the Crown compensates him for the legal expenses incurred during the initial trial and subsequent appeal. Day's solicitor, Lauren MacDougall, argues that it would be unjust for Day to face another trial without receiving compensation for the costs associated with the previous trial that was deemed a miscarriage of justice. The NSW District Court has previously acknowledged that the Crown should pay reasonable legal costs, but the exact amount remains undetermined. If an agreement on the compensation figure cannot be reached, the court will decide the amount. The stay application is set to be reviewed on October 14, 2023, if the parties do not come to an agreement beforehand. Day and Sebastian's relationship soured after a close friendship, leading to legal disputes where both parties accused each other of financial misconduct. The outcome of the retrial and the compensation claim will significantly impact Day's future and the ongoing legal saga between him and Sebastian.