Category Archives: General articles

Articles relevant to the subject of wrongful convictions

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

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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

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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

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Justice derailed – Part 2

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

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

“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

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Blueprint for a fairer system

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

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Justice derailed – Part 1

Andrew L. Urban. As 2020 begins, we look forward to Tasmania’s Supreme Court finally hearing Sue Neill-Fraser’s new appeal against her 2010 murder conviction in May. Also during the year, the NSW the Supreme Court is expected to hear Robert … Continue reading

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Khashoggi murder convictions but no transparency

After a trial conducted behind closed doors, a criminal court in Riyadh on Monday (23/12/19) sentenced five ­people to death for the murder in Istanbul of Jamal Khashoggi in 2018; three others were sentenced to a total of 24 years. … Continue reading

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NSW rape trial judge calls for reform of s293

Andrew L. Urban. A man accused of rape has evidence of 12 incidents in which his alleged victim had made previous false claims about sexual abuse – but the court cannot allow that evidence to be heard, due to the … Continue reading

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The Baby Deaths chain reaction

Andrew L. Urban. They have come to be known as The Baby Deaths. Three unrelated babies who died between October 1992 and August 1993 in Adelaide, were each victims of physical abuse but the State’s Chief Pathologist (1968 – 1995), … Continue reading

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