Monthly Archives: April 2020

Sue Neill-Fraser and expectations of the appeal judges

Andrew L. Urban.  Three Tasmanian judges will hear Sue Neill-Fraser’s new appeal later this year against her conviction for the 2009 murder of her partner Bob Chappell, amid concerns that the appeal should be heard not by local but by … Continue reading

Posted in Case 01 Sue Neill-Fraser | 32 Comments

Robert Xie appeal to hear “dishonest” witness allegation

Andrew L. Urban. At a directions hearing in Sydney yesterday (28/4/2020) in advance of the appeal against his five murder convictions*, Robert Xie’s representative Belinda Rigg SC told the court the appeal hearing would include allegations that an expert witness … Continue reading

Posted in Case 11 Robert Xie | 7 Comments

COMMENT RULES

We are delighted that many readers contribute commentary to our coverage and most abide by the rules applied in the traditional media regarding anonymity. Some, however, use pseudonyms or fake names – often for their own agendas. Given the often … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | 11 Comments

Sue Neill-Fraser & a legal system lacking morality

Andrew L. Urban. The foundation stone of the law is morality. All laws have a moral basis or background – but not all individuals and/or institutions within the legal system do. Moral considerations ought to inform legal considerations. In the … Continue reading

Posted in Case 01 Sue Neill-Fraser | 16 Comments

If Pell, why not other innocents in jail?

Andrew L. Urban. George Pell’s supporters are backing a review of the way Victoria Police and the Office of Public Prosecutions handled the ultimately failed pursuit of the cardinal. Terry Tobin QC* said that if the High Court was right … Continue reading

Posted in Case 01 Sue Neill-Fraser | 7 Comments

Sue Neill-Fraser appeal delayed (again) to later in 2020

Andrew L. Urban. If it’s not one thing, it’s another; this time, the already delayed May 25, 2020 appeal hearing has had to be delayed again due to the restrictions imposed by the emergency measures being implemented in the coronavirus … Continue reading

Posted in Case 01 Sue Neill-Fraser | 24 Comments

Pell convictions not supported by evidence – now quashed

Andrew L. Urban In its unanimous 7 – 0 decision, the High Court concludes its summary of the decision in the George Pell appeal with an abundance of restraint: “a significant possibility that an innocent person has been convicted because … Continue reading

Posted in Case 07 George Pell | 17 Comments

Justice derailed – Part 3

Andrew L. Urban In Part 1 of this series, we referred to the damaging effect that tunnel vision can have on the entire criminal justice process, from start to finish. Following the Australian examples in Part 1 (published January 15, … Continue reading

Posted in General articles | 4 Comments