Australia and Miscarriages of Justice

Posted on December 4, 2013 by janitor

By Dr Bob Moles*

OVERVIEW
molesbob_largeThe criminal appeal system in Tasmania is in breach of international human rights obligations – and has been so for over 30 years. Most people would think that if that were so, someone would have noticed it and done something about it. Also, if it transpired that a major criminal conviction (the case of Sue Neill-Fraser) was contrary to reason, common-sense and the law, one might think that it would be quickly sent back to the courts for review. Neither of those things has happened yet. To understand why, we need to place the case into a broader context.

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A miscarriage of justice – Neill-Fraser conviction

Posted on November 9, 2013 by janitor

Dear Brian Wightman, Attorney General of Tasmania

cc The Hon Lara Giddings MP, Premiere of Tasmania

Thank you for your letter dated September 16 (received by email October 1), in response to my concerns about the murder conviction of Sue Neill-Fraser. Please note that I am writing to you as a concerned citizen and a keen observer of democracy. I am not a ‘supporter’ of Neill-Fraser; what I do support is the notion of justice that Australians should be able to enjoy full confidence in the justice system.

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Letter to George Brandis – criminal review commission

Posted on October 19, 2013 by janitor

Dear Attorney,
You will have received an invitation from Barbara Etter APM to the only Sydney screening of Shadow of Doubt (Nov. 5, 6.30pm, Chauvel Cinema, Paddington), the award winning 80 minute documentary by Melbourne filmmaker Eve Ash exploring the murder conviction of Sue Neill-Fraser. The screening will be followed by a discussion which I will moderate, involving Chester Porter QC, Barbara Etter APM and filmmaker Eve Ash. The audience will include invited guests with a special interest in our justice system viz its failure to correct miscarriages of justice, which is a distinct possibility in the case of Sue Neill-Fraser as explored in Shadow of Doubt.

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Another ‘Lindy Chamberlain’ miscarriage of justice

Posted on August 15, 2013 by janitor

By Andrew L. Urban

It is four years now that Sue Neill-Fraser has been in custody for a murder she vehemently denies and evidence for which is at best circumstantial. On August 20, 2009, Neill-Fraser was arrested on the charge of murdering her partner of 18 years, Bob Chappell, aboard their jointly owned yacht, Four Winds, anchored in Hobart’s Sandy Bay, on Australia Day 2009.

She is helping to grow vegetables in the prison garden at Risdon jail in Hobart, where she will celebrate her 60th birthday on March 3 next year. Her original sentence of 26 years was reduced on appeal to 23. Sarah Bowles, Sue Neill-Fraser’s daughter, says her mother is coping “but she’s living in the belief that she won’t be staying in prison …” Sarah and her sister Emma both visit, both with their months old babies, but the joy of seeing her granddaughters turns bittersweet when it’s time to leave, says Sarah.

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