Category Archives: General articles

Articles relevant to the subject of wrongful convictions

Victoria’s Court of Appeal – too many judgements overturned, bring on a CCRC

Posted on July 23, 2020 by andrew

Andrew L. Urban. Over the past 14 years under Justice Chris Maxwell’s reign as its president, 18 of the judgements of Victoria’s Court of Appeal have been overturned by the High Court, while in the previous decade, 10 of its … Continue reading →

Posted in CCRC, General articles | 7 Comments

Secret strategies – how they secure murder convictions without evidence

Posted on July 5, 2020 by andrew

In his book, Murder by the Prosecution (Wilkinson Publishing) ANDREW L. URBAN reports on murder trials that relied exclusively on circumstantial evidence and how these resulted in convictions – since overturned or under appeal. Through exploring these cases he came … Continue reading →

Posted in General articles | 23 Comments

A cancerous phenomenon

Posted on June 13, 2020 by andrew

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

Posted on May 24, 2020 by andrew

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

Posted on May 22, 2020 by andrew

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

Man sues over false rape charges by his ex

Posted on May 1, 2020 by andrew

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

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

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