Category Archives: General articles

Articles relevant to the subject of wrongful convictions

Calling for disclosure – why mobiles matter

Posted on January 12, 2023 by andrew

The role of mobile phones in sexual assault cases is crucial, often providing exculpatory evidence – which is why some police investigations prefer not to answer the call for disclosure, as gender issues commentator BETTINA ARNDT explains with a couple … Continue reading →

Posted in General articles | 1 Comment

Could reform help secure safer convictions in circumstantial cases?

Posted on January 6, 2023 by andrew

Andrew L. Urban.  The most recent – and highest profile – murder conviction based on circumstantial evidence was that of Christopher Dawson, for the murder 40 years ago of his then wife Lynette. The conviction, in a judgement delivered August … Continue reading →

Posted in General articles | 14 Comments

Duty of disclosure lasts forever

Posted on December 23, 2022 by andrew

The duty of disclosure of “all matters within their knowledge” applies to all those who represent the Crown – and is a duty in perpetuity, write BIBI SANGHA and Dr BOB MOLES of Flinders University, in their December 21, 2022, … Continue reading →

Posted in Case 01 Sue Neill-Fraser, Case 05 Derek Bromley, Case 17 Kathleen Folbigg, General articles | 10 Comments

Sue Neill-Fraser case for CCRC

Posted on December 16, 2022 by andrew

Andrew L. Urban. Following two unsuccessful appeals against her conviction for the 2009 murder of her partner Bob Chappell and twice refused leave to appeal to the High Court, Sue Neill-Fraser’s controversial 12 year old conviction is an ideal matter … Continue reading →

Posted in Case 01 Sue Neill-Fraser, CCRC, General articles | 21 Comments

Everyone pays the price for silence … Tasmania warned

Posted on November 27, 2022 by andrew

The Hobart Mercury’s crime reporter David Killick’s Nov. 26, 2022, scathing analysis of Tasmanian Attorney-General’s latest decision makes sobering reading.

Posted in Case 01 Sue Neill-Fraser, General articles | 15 Comments

MoJ Seminar in Hobart, November 24, 2022

Posted on November 17, 2022 by andrew

Legal professionals, politicians, police and the public have a chance to hear how the criminal justice system sausage is made at a seminar “Lifting the Lid on Miscarriages of Justice.”

Posted in CCRC, General articles | 11 Comments

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