Category Archives: General articles

Articles relevant to the subject of wrongful convictions

Danocracy in Victoria – on the record in Battleground Melbourne

Posted on October 3, 2022 by andrew

Victorian Premier Dan Andrews truncated democracy with his repressive (mis)management of the Covid response. It’s hard to believe what was done to people protesting Covid-driven restrictions of their freedoms – but seeing Battleground Melbourne is believing. It’s a reminder and … Continue reading →

Posted in General articles | 4 Comments

Risk in ‘no body, no parole’ law

Posted on September 1, 2022 by andrew

Andrew L. Urban. Immediately after the Chris Dawson guilty verdict was announced this week, Lyn Dawson’s brother Greg Simms called on Dawson to do the decent thing and reveal the location of her body, to allow the family to give … Continue reading →

Posted in General articles | 6 Comments

The lawless country?

Posted on August 27, 2022 by andrew

Andrew L. Urban. You might sleep soundly in the belief that Australia has a robust, fair and competent criminal justice system. Dream on. The System itself sometimes contributes to lawlessness in the administration of justice. 

Posted in Case 01 Sue Neill-Fraser, Case 05 Derek Bromley, Case 17 Kathleen Folbigg, General articles | 8 Comments

Speculation undesirable (and impermissible) prosecutorial tool

Posted on July 9, 2022 by andrew

Andrew L. Urban Society does not want prosecutors to win convictions in circumstantial cases based on speculation. It is also impermissible. If it weren’t for professional immunity, the practice would cease. 

Posted in Case 01 Sue Neill-Fraser, Case 02 Henry Keogh, Case 11 Robert Xie, General articles | 17 Comments

The Boxing Butterfly takes wing – beware its sting

Posted on June 30, 2022 by andrew

A month after its publication, the book chronicling the career to date of Margaret Cunneen SC, The Boxing Butterfly, is in its second print-run, after a rush of demand, according to publisher Michael Wilkinson of Wilkinson Publishing. The book was … Continue reading →

Posted in General articles | 11 Comments

Further right to appeal passes WA parliament

Posted on June 19, 2022 by andrew

The Criminal Appeals Amendment Bill 2021, the new statutory right of (second and subsequent) appeal, has now been introduced in Western Australia. It passed the parliament on June 15, 2022, and now awaits formal assent before being enacted.  

Posted in General articles | 15 Comments

There but for the grace of God go … you

Posted on May 2, 2022 by andrew

Andrew L. Urban. The High Court adjourned for just four minutes before resuming at 2.45pm on Wednesday, September 11, 2019, with a unanimous decision that Steven Fennell’s appeal against his murder conviction should be upheld. A verdict of acquittal was … Continue reading →

Posted in General articles | 40 Comments

ZELENSKY, the first book about the world’s newest hero, authored by Australians

Posted on April 23, 2022 by andrew

Ukraine’s most popular comedic actor was an unlikely President of his country. And now even more improbably, Volodymyr Zelensky has become the world’s most celebrated statesman. Yet more improbably, the first book about him comes from Australia. 

Posted in General articles | 27 Comments

Online discussions on miscarriages of justice with Dr Bob Moles

Posted on April 19, 2022 by andrew

Three miscarriages of justice – the cases of Derek Bromley, Sue Neill-Fraser and Kathleen Folbigg – will each be the subject of a one-hour online discussion led by Dr Bob Moles, for the South Australian Workers Educational Association (WEA).

Posted in General articles | 8 Comments

Can the system minimise irrational jury verdicts?

Posted on April 11, 2022 by andrew

Jurors don’t have the intelligence to provide sound reasons for their collective decisions, according to the legal fraternity’s outdated rules. There is a better way, argues ANDREW L. URBAN. 

Posted in General articles | 11 Comments