Andrew L. Urban.
Since her arrest for murder 13 years ago tomorrow (20/8/2022), up to the latest High Court decision a week ago, Sue Neill-Fraser’s case has moved slowly through the courts. The 2010 trial, the appeal, the seeking leave at the High Court, then a second appeal and finally seeking leave to appeal to the High Court again … a dozen jury, a dozen years and a dozen judges. Murder solved? Or a catastrophic failure? Continue reading
By CLA President Dr Kristine Klugman and CEO Bill Rowlings
The High Court – judges Stephen Gageler, Simon Steward and Jacqueline Gleeson – has refused Sue Neill-Fraser leave-to-appeal her murder conviction on Friday 12 August 2022 after a 45-minute hearing, and five minutes of conferring between themselves. Continue reading
Andrew L. Urban.
Here is an example of why the average person in the street cannot rely on press reports to be fully informed about matters relevant to wrongful convictions. Continue reading
Andrew L. Urban.
With the High Court’s August 12, 2022 refusal (the second time in 10 years) to grant Sue Neill-Fraser special leave to appeal her 2010 conviction for the 2009 murder of her partner, Bob Chappell, she has assumed legendary status. Continue reading
Andrew L. Urban.
August 12, 2022: The High Court today refused Sue Neill-Fraser leave to appeal her 2010 murder conviction for the 2009 murder of her partner Bob Chappell. The devastating decision comes eight days before the 13th anniversary of her arrest. (And two days before the 2019 six-part Ch. 7 docuseries on the case, Undercurrent, finally becomes available in Tasmania – see below.) Continue reading
STOP PRESS – MONDAY, AUGUST 8, 2022
The controversial, five year old charge of perverting justice against Hobart solicitor Jeff Thompson was dropped (nolle prosequi) today before Justice Brett in Hobart’s Supreme Court. Thompson was one of the figures in the long running saga of the Sue Neill-Fraser case, which goes to the High Court four days after this decision, seeking leave to appeal. Continue reading
Andrew L. Urban.
Neither the Major Crime Investigation Unit, nor the Attorney General, nor the State’s Director of Public Prosecution want anything to do with it. ‘IT’ is the legal scandal around Dr Colin Manock’s reign as the unqualified forensic pathologist allowed to give evidence in hundreds of trials including that of Derek Bromley. The scandal has been festering on the body of the South Australian justice system for decades – but now it is about to sully the High Court of Australia. Continue reading
Andrew L. Urban
A question of profound and long lasting importance will be laid bare before the High Court on Friday, August 12, 2022, when the application for special leave to appeal her 2010 murder conviction by Sue Neill-Fraser will be put before the learned judges – a question not exposed before in any court. Continue reading
Andrew L. Urban.
There is no worse crime than a mother murdering her own toddlers… four of them. Is there? Well, maybe one: wrongfully convicting a mother of such a deed. In his new book, The Big Folbigg Mistake, author John Kerr points the finger at the NSW criminal justice system, which has defied science and is still keeping Kathleen Folbigg in prison as she approaches 20 years behind bars. Continue reading
Andrew L. Urban
The High Court will hear Derek Bromley’s seeking leave application on September 16, 2022, a month or so after Sue Neill-Fraser’s case (August 12, 2022). Both were convicted of murder and both cases display characteristics of wrongful convictions. (See respective case histories via links at the right.) Continue reading