Court Reporter
Page 23
Coroner Barnes made forty-five recommendations and said the DPP could have ensured that Monis was not ‘at large’ by doing more to oppose bail for his more than forty criminal charges, including being an accessory to murder.
The coroner also recommended more sharing of information about criminal histories in relation to bail applications, that the psychiatrist, police used to help them try to negotiate with Man Monis was not up to the task and that police negotiators need better training.17
He said the siege ‘would have challenged any police force in the world’ and concluded that Monis was a ‘vicious maniac’ with a personality disorder.18
Doing my live television crosses that day, I carried a necklace my mother had given me, a fine silver chain with a tiny dragonfly on the end.
She had put a note in the box with it, ‘This is to bring you luck when you go back to work. So much love. Mum.’
In some cultures, dragonflies are a symbol of light and transformation, of perspective, strength, grace and courage.
They can adapt to new situations quickly, by moving at great speed and changing direction.
They can fly up and down or hover, because they have four wings that can move independently.
I keep that necklace with me always.
Acknowledgements
THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE to thank for their time and help with this project. Helen Littleton, Lachlan McLaine and Matt Howard at ABC Books/HarperCollins and book editor Samantha Sainsbury. Thank you to the other reporters and court watchers for sharing your stories and to Mark Tedeschi QC for use of his photo and to Robin Gandevia and Justice Lucy McCallum for permission to reproduce their letters. Thank you to ABC colleagues Shane McCleod, Rebecca Barrett, Adam Storey, Michelle Rafferty, Jane Hutcheon, Sophie Scott, Richard Glover and the teams at ABC Radio Sydney and News Channel for your encouragement. Also to Susanne Muriel Briggs, Rachel Dalsanto, Patty Lee, Angela Winters, Katie McMurray, Michael Pachi, Gerard Maree, Melissa Newell, Anthony Chiofalo, Barry Daus, Dianne and Kylie Simmonds, Vanessa Cruise, Derek Peterson, Eurydice Aroney, Kayte Borg and my family and friends in Cobar. Thank you to my mum, Cecilia, for always believing in me.
Endnotes
1Judgment day
1R v Xie, NSW Supreme Court, 13 February 2017.
2‘Robert Xie found guilty of murdering five members of extended family’, ABC Online, 13 January 2017.
3Karl Hoerr and staff, ‘Robert Xie murder trial: the evidence that helped catch a killer’, ABC Online, 16 January 2017.
4Karl Hoerr and Antoinette Lattouf, ‘Lin family deaths: The murder trials of Robert Xie’, ABC Online, 12 January 2017.
5R v Xie, NSW Supreme Court, 13 February 2017.
6‘Robert Xie found guilty of murdering five members of extended family’, ABC Online, 13 January 2017.
7R v Xie, NSW Supreme Court, 13 February 2017.
8Ibid.
9Ibid.
10Ibid.
11Clare Blumer and Lucy Carter, ‘Robert Xie sentenced to life in jail for “blood-soaked” murder of Lin family’, ABC Online, 13 February 2017.
12Clare Blumer and Lucy Carter, ‘Robert Xie sentenced to life in jail for “blood-soaked” murder of Lin family’, ABC Online, 13 February 2017.
13Brenda Lin interview with Melissa Doyle, Sunday Night, Seven Network, 26 February 2017.
3Journey to the ABC
1R v Valera, NSW Supreme Court, 21 December 2000.
4Getting the job
1‘Sack Wollongong Council: ICAC Commissioner’, ABC Online, 3 March 2008.
2Evidence at ICAC, Operation Atlas, 18 February 2008.
3Evidence at ICAC, Operation Atlas public inquiry, 27 February 2008.
4Jamelle Wells, Peter Hand ‘Sex, Money, Power — all on 97.3 ABC Illawarra’, ABC Online, 20 October 2008; Jamelle Wells, ‘A council, corruption and a kebab shop’, ABC Online, 30 August 2011; ICAC — ‘Report on an investigation into corruption allegations affecting Wollongong City Council, Part 1’, 4 March 2008; ICAC — ‘Report on an investigation into corruption allegations affecting Wollongong City Council, Part 2’, 28 May 2008; ICAC — ‘Report on an investigation into corruption allegations affecting Wollongong City Council, Part 3, 8 October 2008.
5Jamelle Wells, ‘Vellar escapes jail for lying about affair’, ABC Online, 26 August 2011; Angela Lavoipierre, ‘Vellar avoids jail over ICAC Wollongong scandal’, ABC Online, 21 October 2011.
6Jamelle Wells, ‘A council, corruption and a kebab shop’, ABC Online, 30 August 2011.
5Life on the road
1Author interview, 8 September 2017.
2Author interview, 6 August 2017.
3‘Farmer guilty of brutal Huxley attack’, ABC Online, 15 May 2008.
4‘20 yrs’ jail for brutal Huxley bashing’, ABC Online, 13 June 2008.
5‘Farmer guilty of brutal Huxley attack’, ABC Online, 15 May 2008.
6Ibid.
7Jamelle Wells, ‘Wilhelm walks free after Brimble death trial’, ABC Online, 29 April 2010.
8Jamelle Wells, Phillipa McDonald, ‘Five Sydney men jailed over terrorism plot’, ABC Online, 15 February 2010.
9Jamelle Wells, ‘Lane collapses after guilty verdict court’, ABC Online, 13 December 2010.
10Ibid.
11Jamelle Wells, ‘Lane gets 18 years for baby’s murder’, ABC Online, 15 April 2011.
12‘Keli Lane loses appeal against conviction for murdering daughter Tegan in 1996, ABC Online, 13 December 2013.
13Jamelle Wells, ‘Keli Lane loses High Court application to appeal against conviction for murdering baby Tegan’, 5 August 2014.
14Author interview, 13 June 2017.
15Jamelle Wells, ‘Milat relative gets 30 years for axe murder’, ABC Online Updated, 9 June 2012.
16Ibid.
17Ibid.
18R v Milat & Klein Supreme Court of NSW, 8 June 2013.
19Ibid.
20Milat v R; Klein v R, NSW Court of Criminal Appeal, 14 March 2014.
21Jamelle Wells, ‘Former Comanchero leader Mick Hawi pleads guilty to manslaughter over 2009 Sydney Airport brawl, ABC Online, 5 September 2014.
22Jamelle Wells, ‘Bikie boss guilty of murder over airport brawl’, ABC Online, 2 November 2011.
23Jamelle Wells, Karl Hoerr, ‘Comancheros ex-boss Mick Hawi sentenced to at least three and a half years’ jail over fatal Sydney Airport brawl’, ABC Online, 13 March 2015.
24Author interview, 8 July 2017.
25Author interview, 8 September 2017.
26Melanie Kembrey, ‘AVO application by police for Kelly Landry against Anthony Bell dismissed. Sydney Morning Herald online, 18 May 2017.
27Author interview, July 8, 2017.
6ICAC: you couldn’t make it up
1Jamelle Wells, ‘Council brothel inspector jailed over bribes’, ABC Online, 12 March 2010.
2Jamelle Wells, ‘ICAC: Serial pest Peter Hore charged with assault, special constable injured’, ABC Online, 5 April 2014.
3Jamelle Wells, ‘Serial pest’ Peter Hore appears in court charged with assaulting ICAC officer, ABC Online, 28 April 2014.
4‘NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell to resign over ‘massive memory fail’ at ICAC’, ABC Online, 17 April 2014.
5The Drum, ABC News Channel, 12 February 2013.
6Jamelle Wells, interview with Margaret Cunneen, One Plus One, ABC News Channel, 4 November 2012.
7Sarah Gerathy ‘Megan Latham resigns just days after Government passed legislation which effectively sacked her’, ABC Online, 23 November 2016.
8Lucy Carter and Kathleen Calderwood, ‘Eddie Obeid sentenced to five years’ jail for misconduct in public office, ABC Online, 16 December 2016.
9Jamelle Wells, ‘Eddie Obeid loses appeal against misconduct in public office conviction’, ABC Online, 13 September 2017.
10Nicole Chettle and Riley Stuart, ‘Ian Macdonald jailed for 10 years for misconduct in public office, John Maitland also imprisoned’, ABC Online, 2 June 2017.
7Stalkers
1Evidence in Balmain Local Court, 14 August 2013.
8The ICAC fall
1Jamelle Wells, ‘ICAC witness “making up evidence” over alleged courthouse revamp scam, inquiry hears’, ABC Online, 23 June 2015; Jamelle Wells, ‘Court refurbishment inquiry: ICAC commissioner berates witness Shadi Abouchacra over memory loss at inquiry’, ABC Online, 24 June 2015.
2Author interview, 6 August 2017.
3Matthew Doran ‘David Eastman succeeds in bid to have judge appointed to hear stay application disqualified’, ABC Online, 10 June 2015.
4Sarah Gerathy ‘ICAC finds senior Justice department staffer awarded $1 million worth of sham contracts’, ABC Online, 22 November 2016.
5Jamelle Wells, ‘Australian of the Year finalist Eman Sharobeem breaks down during ICAC questioning’, ABC Online, 11 May 2017.
6Jamelle Wells, ‘ICAC adjourned over health concerns for former Australian of the Year finalist Eman Sharobeem’, ABC Online, 15 May 2017.
9Justice on trial
1Jacqueline Schmidt to reporters in Sydney, ABC Online, 24 February 2012.
2Gordon Wood interview with Paul Barry on Channel Seven Witness program 1998.
3Jamelle Wells, studio cross with Scott Bevan, ABC News24, 24 February 2012.
4Jamelle Wells, ABC Radio News reports and Emma Renwick ‘Wood’s trial aborted because of rogue juror’ ABC Lateline, 6 August 2008.
5Jamelle Wells, ABC Radio News reports Tania Zaetta evidence at Gordon Wood murder trial, 24 September 2008.
6‘Wood told me model was depressed: Dally-Watkins’, ABC Online, 12 September 2008.
7Jamelle Wells, ABC Radio News reports, 23 September 2008; ‘Wood jury tours The Gap’, ABC Online, 24 September 2008.
8Jamelle Wells, ABC Radio News reports and Jamelle Wells, ‘Wood found guilty of model’s murder’, ABC Online, 21 November 2008.
9Jamelle Wells, ‘Wood found guilty of model’s murder’, ABC Online, 21 November 2008.
10Jamelle Wells, ABC News Channel live cross, ‘Court of Appeal Frees Gordon Wood’, 24 February 2012; Jamelle Wells, ‘Gordon Wood wins murder conviction appeal’, ABC Online, 25 February 2012.
11Jamelle Wells, ‘Gordon Wood suing the State of NSW: The former chauffeur’s case explained’, ABC Online, 24 February 2017.
12Ibid.
13Gordon Wood interview with Paul Barry on Chanel Seven Witness program, 1998.
14Evidence in Gordon Wood malicious prosecution case, NSW Supreme Court, 25 February 2017.
15R vs Wood, NSW Court of Criminal Appeal, 24 February 2012.
16Evidence in Gordon Wood Malicious Prosecution Case, NSW Supreme Court, 24 February 2017.
17Evidence in Gordon Wood Malicious Prosecution Case, NSW Supreme Court, 27 February 2017.
18Jamelle Wells, ‘Gordon Wood says he felt “paranoid” police would pursue him again over death of Caroline Byrne’, ABC Online, 27 February 2017.
19Jamelle Wells, ‘Gordon Wood suing the State of NSW: The former chauffeur’s case explained’, ABC Online, 24 February 2017.
20Jamelle Wells, ‘Gordon Wood says he felt “paranoid” police would pursue him again over death of Caroline Byrne’, ABC Online, 27 February 2017.
21Jamelle Wells, ‘Gordon Wood assaulted in jail before acquittal over Caroline Byrne murder, court hears’, ABC Online, 1 March 2017.
22Ibid.
23Ibid.
24Jamelle Wells, ‘Gordon Wood: Witness had motive to convict while writing book on Caroline Byrne’s death, court hears,’ ABC Online, 20 February 2017.
25Ibid.
26Ibid.
27Karl Hoerr. ‘Rachelle Louise, girlfriend of killer Simon Gittany, settles with Nationwide News over “stripper” defamation case’, ABC Online, 8 May 2015.
28Evidence in Gordon Wood Malicious Prosecution Case, NSW Supreme Court, 16 March 2017.
10Local Courts
1Evidence in Downing Centre Local Court 4.5, 20 September 2017.
2Sarah Hawke, ‘Man sorry for filming up skirts of Woolworths customers in Sydney’, ABC Online 4 October 2017.
3Jamelle Wells, ABC Radio News reports, June 2008.
4AAP, ‘Husband jailed for infecting wife’, Sydney Morning Herald online, 11 May 2009.
5Jamelle Wells, ABC Radio News reports, 16 June 2011.
11Looking for love
1Jamelle Wells, ABC Radio News reports, 5 May 2010.
2Jamelle Wells, Radio reports ABC News, 18 May 2010.
3Jamelle Wells, ‘Des Campbell guilty of wife’s cliff murder’, ABC Online, 18 May 2010.
4Ibid.
5Ibid.
6R v Campbell, NSW Supreme Court, 3 September 2010.
7Jamelle Wells, ABC Radio News reports, 5 May, 2010.
8R v Campbell, NSW Supreme Court, 3 September 2010.
9Ibid.
10Ibid.
11Jamelle Wells, Radio reports ABC News, 3 September 2010.
12Jamelle Wells, ‘Campbell gets 24 years for wife’s cliff death’, ABC Online, 4 September 2010.
13Jamelle Wells, ‘Des Campbell guilty of wife’s cliff murder’, ABC Online, 18 May 2010.
14Jamelle Wells, ‘Former detective Des Campbell appeals murder conviction over wife’s cliff fall death’, ABC Online, 21 May 2014.
15Campbell v R, NSW Court of Criminal Appeal, 2 September 2014.
16Jamelle Wells, ABC Radio News reports and ABC News Channel report, 22 September 2017.
17R v Villaluna, NSW Supreme Court, 12 October 2017.
13Court officers and court sheriffs
1Author interview, 13 June 2017.
2Author interview, 16 August 2017.
3Jamelle Wells and Karl Hoerr, ‘Simon Gittany sentenced to at least 18 years for fiancée Lisa Harnum’s murder’, ABC Online, 11 February 2014.
4Jamelle Wells, and Karl Hoerr, ‘Simon Gittany sentencing: new witness tells of previous death threat against Lisa Harnum’, ABC Online, 6 February 2014.
5Jamelle Wells and Karl Hoerr, ‘Simon Gittany sentencing: new witness tells of previous death threat against Lisa Harnum’, ABC Online, 6 February 2014; Jamelle Wells, ABC Radio News reports, 6 February 2014.
6Author interview, 9 June 2017.
14Juries
1Jason Om, ‘Juries can be influenced by where defendants sit in a courtroom, Australian study reveals’ ABC Lateline, 7 November 2014.
2‘Drug trial abandoned after jurors play Sudoku, ABC Online, 11 June 2008.
3Philippa McDonald ‘10 months, 300 witnesses: Inside Sydney’s terrorism trial’, ABC Online, 16 October 2009.
15Foyers
1Author interview, 9 June 2017.
17Court watchers
1Author interview, 25 March 2017.
2Ibid.
3Reference for Robin Gandevia, 31 October 2014, reproduced with Robin’s permission.
4Author interview, 25 March 2017.
5Ibid.
6Author interview, 9 November 2016.
7Author interview, 17 August 2017.
8Author interview, 14 June 2017.
9Jamelle Wells, ‘Man found guilty of stabbing murders of two brothers’, ABC Online, 24 June 2013.
10Dicianni v R; Pintabona v R, New South Wales Court of Criminal Appeal, 31 July 2015.
11Jamelle Wells, ‘Man found guilty of stabbing murders of two brothers’, ABC Online, 24 June 2013.
18Crimes against children
1Jamelle Wells, ABC Lateline, ‘Fox accused of undermining police strikeforce’, 9 May 2013.
2Jamelle Wells, Rebecca Armitage and staff, ‘Royal commission told Scouts “failed” abused children, kept file on paedophile leader Steven Larkins’, ABC Online, 16 September 2014.
3R v John Walsh, NSW Supreme Court, 7 August 2009.
4Ibid.
5Jamelle Wells, ABC radio reports, 7 August 2009.
6R v John Walsh, NSW Supreme Court, 7 August 2009.
7Jamelle Wells, ABC radio reports, 7 August 2009.
8Danuta Kozaki and Jessica Kidd, ‘Long Bay ja
il inmate, 77, charged with murder after allegedly bashing 71yo cellmate with sandwich press’, ABC Online, 3 January 2017.
9Jamelle Wells, ‘Court hears Kristi Abrahams was ‘sick of her daughter Kiesha’, ABC Online, 24 June 2013.
10‘Missing girl’s family makes emotional appeal’, ABC Online, 3 August 2010.
11Jamelle Wells, ‘Relatives cry as Sydney court hears murdered child Kiesha Weippeart suffered years of abuse’, ABC Online, 25 June 2013.
12Jamelle Wells, ‘Mother of murdered child Kiesha Weippeart asked undercover cop to help her avoid jail’, ABC Online, 27 June 2013; Jamelle Wells, ABC Radio news reports, 27 June 2013.
13Jamelle Wells, ABC radio reports, 25 June 2013; Jamelle Wells, ‘Relatives cry as Sydney court hears murdered child Kiesha Weippeart suffered years of abuse’, ABC Online, 25 June 2013.
14R v Kristi Anne Abrahams, NSW Supreme Court, 18 July 2013.
15Jamelle Wells, ABC Radio News report, 18 July 2013.
16‘Stepfather jailed over Kiesha’s death, ABC Online, 3 May 2013.
17Jamelle Wells, ABC radio reports, 25 June 2013; Jamelle Wells, radio reports, 19 July 2013; Jamelle Wells, ‘Relatives cry as Sydney court hears murdered child Kiesha Weippeart suffered years of abuse’, ABC Online, 25 June 2013; Jamelle Wells, ‘Kristi Abrahams jailed for at least 16 years for murder of 6yo daughter Kiesha Weippeart’, ABC Online, 19 July 2013.
18Author interview, 2017.
19‘Starvation murder girl named’, ABC Online, 24 June 2009.
20R v BW & SW, NSW Supreme Court, 2 October, 2009; Jamelle Wells, ABC radio reports, 2 October 2009.
21R v BW & SW, NSW Supreme Court, 2 October 2009; SW v R, New South Wales Court of Criminal Appeal, 7 June 2013.
22R v BW & SW, NSW Supreme Court, 2 October 2009.
23Ibid.
24R v BW & SW, NSW Supreme Court, 2 October 2009; ‘Starved girl’s mother gets life sentence’, ABC Online, 2 October 2009.
25‘Child deaths inquiry calls for reporting overhaul’, ABC Online, 24 November 2008.
26‘Body-in-suitcase mother jailed’, ABC Online, 9 December 2009.
27‘Body in suitcase boy “feared his mother”’, ABC Online, 8 October 2009; Jamelle Wells, ABC radio reports, 8 October 2009.