Author Archives: andrew

Robert Xie historic appeal to begin

Andrew L. Urban. Chief Justice of NSW Tom Bathurst QC will be one of the judges (along with Justices Hulme and Beech-Jones) to hear the appeal by Lian Bin (Robert) Xie against his five 2017 murder convictions, starting on Monday, … Continue reading

Posted in Case 11 Robert Xie | 2 Comments

A cancerous phenomenon

One of Australia’s most respected former detectives, COLIN McLAREN, has broken rank from police circles, to speak out against a judicial system he no longer believes in. Indeed, he suffered threats of arrest because he dared to find glaring faults … Continue reading

Posted in General articles | 41 Comments

Another CCRC established … but still not in Australia

Andrew L. Urban. A new, independent body that will have the power to send potential miscarriages of justice back to an appeal court is on track to begin receiving applications from July 1, 2020 – but not in Australia. It’s … Continue reading

Posted in CCRC, General articles | 19 Comments

They executed an innocent man this week

May 19, 2020, 5:55 PM ET: Today the U.S. Supreme Court refused to halt the execution of Walter “Arkie” Barton, after the court of appeals for the 8th Circuit lifted the stay on his execution, discounting evidence of his innocence because it … Continue reading

Posted in General articles | 7 Comments

Not guilty – but punished by a system we trust(ed?)

Andrew L. Urban. Most people trust the legal system and accept the guilty verdicts of the courts. Is that trust sometimes betrayed – either maliciously or through incompetence? And is it justified? Not if these few examples of innocents being … Continue reading

Posted in Case 14 Scott Austic | 13 Comments

Man sues over false rape charges by his ex

The Australian’s Deborah Cornwall reports exclusively today: A Sydney man is suing his former wife, the NSW Police Force and a crown prosecutor for malicious prosecution and damages, accusing them of causing him “severe mental anguish” after persisting with false … Continue reading

Posted in General articles | 4 Comments

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