Channel Nine mistakenly show photo of Latrell Mitchell instead of accused dating app killer

Georgie Gardener has been forced into a grovelling mid-bulletin apology after picturing Indigenous NRL superstar Latrell Mitchell while introducing a story about an alleged murderer.

As Nine’s 6pm bulletin began on Wednesday, anchor Georgie Gardener teased the ‘chilling video’ of accused dating app killer Ashley Gaddie, as an image of the South Sydney footballer came across the screen.

The photo showed the fullback cradling a child with the caption ‘chilling insight’. 

Channel Nine news has been forced into a grovelling mid-bulletin apology after picturing rugby league superstar Latrell Mitchell while introducing a story about an alleged murderer

See also  'Chief Twit' Elon Musk becomes the SOLE director of Twitter after dissolving the board of directors

Gardener acknowledged the mistake later in the bulletin, saying the channel had spoken with Mitchell’s management and with Souths rugby league club

Mitchell has no connection to the horror case and his photo appearance was blamed on a technical error. 

Gardener acknowledged the mistake later in the bulletin, saying the channel had spoken with Mitchell’s management and with Souths rugby league club to apologise.

‘At the beginning of our bulleting tonight we had a technical issue which led to an image of Latrell Mitchell being shown while we were previewing our lead story,’ Gardener said.

‘We’ve spoken to Souths and Latrell Mitchell’s management and apologised for the error.’

Meanwhile, Gaddie, 33, faced Penrith Local Court on Wednesday, charged with murder.

His appearance came hours after a clifftop stand-off with police ended with his arrest in the Blue Mountains at 12:30am.

Gaddie is accused of murdering Sydney teacher Dannielle Finlay-Jones, 31, on Saturday evening, after meeting her on a dating app.

Accused killer Ashley Gaddie charged with murder after a 12-hour standoff with police on Wednesday

Gaddie is accused of murdering Sydney teacher Dannielle Finlay-Jones, 31 (pictured), on Saturday evening, after meeting her on a dating app

He then allegedly fled out a window and disappeared until he was cornered by police officers at Fletcher’s Lookout, in the Blue Mountains, on Tuesday afternoon.

Gaddie clung to the side of a cliff before police negotiators managed to talk him into coming down and took him into custody about midnight.

Just after midday on Wednesday, NSW Police announced Gaddie had been charged with murder.