JAKE HOLLAND
A friend of Marco’s asked me to look at the case a couple of years ago but I originally shrugged it off as a typical “I didn’t do it story” and then some time later in a moment of boredom, I had a look at it and was shocked that the evidence seemed to point to a man named Matthew Coventry. The more I researched about him, the more it seemed like he was indeed involved. Continue reading
One could argue that juries these days are more likely to be sympathetic to the ruling orthodoxies; hence the George Pell and Noel Greenaway* convictions, to cite two examples. It’s no surprise, since juries are chosen from the general population, subject to the same jostling forces that produce ruling orthodoxies. That includes the ethos of the #MeToo movement and ‘believe all women.’ Judges may be just as likely to base their decisions on the same orthodoxy, if the case of Frank Valentine* is any guide. The late KEITH WINDSHUTTLE published this prescient article in March 2019; it is totally relevant today, confirming how misplaced morality has corrupted the rule of law. Continue reading
Andrew L. Urban
He was accused, charged, tried, convicted and sentenced; his appeal was dismissed. His Petition for Mercy to the Governor was put aside by the A-G as was his claim of innocence. His otherwise exemplary life, his family and business were all destroyed. But there has always been a concern that a miscarriage of justice has occurred. Now a new, specialised AI tool called LIA has confirmed it. What is LIA and why should the law act on its findings? Continue reading
This is an unedited copy of a comment posted on the story “As Higgins lied about the cover up…” by reader Anne, on 23 November, 2025, for the benefit of readers. Continue reading
Andrew L. Urban
Two judges, Justice Lee and Justice Tottle, have found Brittany Higgins lied about a political cover up of her alleged rape in then Minister Linda Reynolds’ Parliament House office. Yet Justice Lee accepted her word over Bruce Lehrmann’s to find on the balance of probabilities that Lehrmann had raped her. Continue reading
Andrew L. Urban
By the time Robert Xie faced his fourth trial in June 2016 for the murder of the Lin family, he was physically, mentally – and financially – exhausted. Convicted, the appeal was still to come … he had to rely on the public defender’s office. It didn’t end well. This scenario is far from unique, even when there are less than four trials. The Crown holds significant resource advantages over defendants — including dedicated investigators, expert witnesses, and unlimited funding. Fair it ain’t. We propose some overdue reforms. Continue reading
Andrew L. Urban
All Australian jurisdictions have abolished the mandatory requirement for corroboration of claims in sexual crime prosecutions. This means no jurisdiction requires independent evidence to support a complainant’s testimony for a conviction. This has negated the presumption of innocence leading to guilt by say-so, as three examples demonstrate. Continue reading
Andrew L. Urban
Given the failures of two previous appeals by Sue Neill-Fraser against her discredited murder conviction, Tasmania’s legal system is still defying serious scrutiny. The latest Etter/Selby report highlights both the reasons and the need. Former Tasmanian Attorney General Elise Archer’s unsustainable reasons for refusing to establish one provide an instructive backdrop. Continue reading
It’s been 15 years since Sue Neill-Fraser’s now discredited trial, but spurred on by the latest Etter/Selby report tabled in Parliament which sets out new material challenging the conviction, Tasmanians are calling for an inquiry– again. Continue reading
Andrew L. Urban
There seem to be two schools of thought on how to try and overturn Sue Neill-Fraser’s murder conviction by those who believe, as we do, that it is plainly wrongful. One school holds that the best way forward is to press for an independent inquiry, the other urges a new appeal via the courts. Continue reading