Pell appeal judges reversed onus of proof

Posted on September 18, 2019 by andrew

In seeking leave to appeal to the High Court, George Pell’s lawyers argue that the approach taken by the majority judges at his appeal ­required Pell to “establish actual innocence”, rather than “merely pointing to doubt”, which was a reversal of the onus and standard of proof, adding, “Rigid application of the onus and stand­ard of proof in 21st-century sexual assault trials in Australia is of particula­r importance.” Continue reading →

Posted in Case 07 George Pell | 6 Comments

Steve Fennell not a murderer – jury got it wrong

Posted on September 16, 2019 by andrew

Andrew L. Urban.

The High Court in Canberra 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 allowed. A verdict of acquittal was entered. “I was in my cell about to eat my yoghurt when prison officers came to the door and said, `you’re going’,” he told The Courier-Mail. Continue reading →

Posted in Case 10 Steven Fennell | 18 Comments

Is there evidentiary basis for shaken baby syndrome? The conviction of Joby Rowe

Posted on September 10, 2019 by andrew

Chris Brook.

Joby Rowe’s 2018 conviction for child homicide was based solely on forensic evidence that openly and overtly lacked any scientific basis, with expert opinions based instead on confession studies. This case raises fundamental questions for forensic science in Australia, primarily: should forensic evidence be scientific? Or should it appeal to authority? Continue reading →

Posted in Case 09 Joby Rowe, Shaken Baby Syndrome | 9 Comments

Sarah Ward – the dead of night

Posted on September 9, 2019 by andrew

It happened around 4am on June 7, 2008. Sarah Ward had been drinking and smoking dope. She took a friend’s car and went out for cigarettes with another friend. The young musicians they came across that dark night in Christie Lane, St Leonards, Sydney, had also been drinking. The altercation that ensued left one of the young men dead and Ward convicted of his murder. A man and his sister have a history with the dead man and believe this is a wrongful conviction. They tell a story which challenges the one that convicted her. Anthony Nikolich & Helen Keys put the case for Sarah Ward. Continue reading →

Posted in Case 08 Sarah May Ward | 16 Comments

Qld & Vic prosecutors set example for Tas prosecutor

Posted on September 4, 2019 by andrew

Dr Bob Moles & Andrew L. Urban. 

It was made clear last night on the SBS program Insight – Wrongfully Convicted Part 2 (September 3, 2019), that the prosecutor in the Queensland case of Frank Button recognised that a significant error had occurred in relation to the DNA evidence in the case. As a consequence, the prosecutor ensured that the case was before the Court of Appeal within 24 hours. Continue reading →

Posted in Case 01 Sue Neill-Fraser | 20 Comments

Sue Neill-Fraser appeal not before 2020

Posted on August 27, 2019 by andrew

The Sue Neill-Fraser appeal will not be heard until next year (2020). Directions hearing at 4 pm today was before Wood J., Coates and Shapiro  for the Crown. Chris Carr for Sue Neill Fraser appeared from Melbourne via video. Her lawyers have until 28 October to get their appeal book index in (and appeal books shortly thereafter) and the DPP has until 20 December to consider it and get his material in. Extra time might be needed re Agreed Facts. Early iIndications are that the appeal may go for one to two weeks. Wood indicated that it appeared that the appeal would go ahead in early 2020. Her Honour set the matter down for a directions hearing to check progress for 4 pm on 12 November 2019.

Posted in Case 01 Sue Neill-Fraser | 16 Comments

Sue Neill-Fraser news overlooked at Hobart Mercury?

Posted on August 26, 2019 by andrew

Andrew L. Urban.

 “A Hobart lawyer charged with two counts of perverting justice in relation to Susan Neill-Fraser’s appeal bid may not face trial,” Emily Jarvie of Launceston based The Examiner reported on August 22, 2019, but Hobart’s Mercury did not cover this story, in what is perhaps Hobart’s most contentious topic, the Sue Neill-Fraser case. Continue reading →

Posted in Case 01 Sue Neill-Fraser | 11 Comments

Wrongfully Convicted – on SBS TV … and from a tavern

Posted on August 24, 2019 by andrew

Wrongfully Convicted – the SBS Insight program over 2 episodes – August 27 & September 3, 2019 – discusses the Australian cases of Henry Keogh, John Button, Frank Button and the US cases of Debra Milke (spent over 20 years on death row) and Greg Bright (spent over 27 years in one of the toughest prisons in the US). All had convictions overturned having established that the evidence against them was false and misleading. Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Pell Appeal – Weinberg J & other dissenting voices

Posted on August 23, 2019 by andrew

Andrew L. Urban.

George Pell’s appeal against the conviction of child sexual abuse was dismissed by two of the three judges in the Victorian Supreme Court on August 21, 2019. It is a majority decision with which dissenting Justice Weinberg finds it impossible to agree. Others do, too. Continue reading →

Posted in Case 07 George Pell | 19 Comments

Sue Neill-Fraser case demands Royal Commission: Richter QC

Posted on August 22, 2019 by andrew

Andrew L. Urban.

On Tuesday morning, August 20, 2019, Robert Richter QC joined documentary maker Eve Ash on Seven’s Sunrise program, at the Melbourne vigil marking the 10th anniversary of Sue Neill-Fraser’s arrest for the murder of her partner Bob Chappell. Richter said the controversial case demands a Royal Commission, regardless of the outcome of the upcoming appeal. Continue reading →

Posted in Case 01 Sue Neill-Fraser | 17 Comments