Author Archives: andrew

If Pell, why not other innocents in jail?

Posted on April 9, 2020 by andrew

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

Posted on April 8, 2020 by andrew

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

Posted on April 7, 2020 by andrew

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

Posted on April 3, 2020 by andrew

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

Justice derailed – Part 2

Posted on March 13, 2020 by andrew

Andrew L. Urban.  In Part 2, we examine the controversial case of Cardinal George Pell; his conviction and failed appeal, asking whether the evidence meets the standard of proof beyond reasonable doubt and whether the majority in the appeal court … Continue reading →

Posted in General articles | 8 Comments

Importing judges to avoid conflict of interest

Posted on February 4, 2020 by andrew

Andrew L. Urban. February 4, 2020: Further to our February 3 report on the former judge who has called for the Sue Neill-Fraser new appeal in Tasmania’s Supreme Court to be heard by mainland judges, we report on other such … Continue reading →

Posted in Case 01 Sue Neill-Fraser | 16 Comments

Sue Neill-Fraser appeal should be heard by mainland judges – says judge

Posted on February 3, 2020 by andrew

Andrew L. Urban. February 3, 2020: The three Tasmanian judges set to hear Sue Neill-Fraser’s new appeal in Mrch 2021 against her 2010 conviction for the 2009 murder of her partner Bob Chappell should disqualify themselves and be replaced by … Continue reading →

Posted in Case 01 Sue Neill-Fraser | 46 Comments

Sue Neill-Fraser’s bitter sweet Australia Day

Posted on January 26, 2020 by andrew

Andrew L. Urban. January 26, 2009 was the last Australia Day that Sue Neill-Fraser enjoyed in the true spirit of Australia, with a blustery, crowded and celebratory Hobart full of young and old, her partner Bob Chappell tinkering aboard their … Continue reading →

Posted in Case 01 Sue Neill-Fraser | 21 Comments

Australia “limping behind UK, NZ, Canada” in appeal laws – Kirby

Posted on January 22, 2020 by andrew

“In Australia, two of the states and both mainland territories have not yet even decided to permit a second criminal appeal by leave on compelling evidence. And no jurisdiction has yet resolved to establish a Review Commission. What is it … Continue reading →

Posted in General articles | 5 Comments

Blueprint for a fairer system

Posted on January 19, 2020 by andrew

Andrew L. Urban. Before Walkley Award winning journalist and legal historian Evan Whitton died (5 March 1928 – 16 July 2018), I had the good fortune to exchange a few notes with him about miscarriages of justice. He had written … Continue reading →

Posted in General articles | 10 Comments