Sue Neill-Fraser’s conviction is wrong. Demand a Royal Commission. Sue needs you.
SAVE SUE
Sue Neill-Fraser needs your help. She is now ending her 13th year in a Tasmanian prison–serving a 23 sentence for (allegedly) murdering her longtime partner, Bob Chappell.
Sue’s Trial was an entirely circumstantial case – no witnesses, no body, no motive, no murder weapon, no forensics against Sue while plenty of missed evidence and other suspects who were not investigated. Bob’s body has never been found. Despite this, there was an elephant in the court room – a large volume DNA sample found on the deck of the yacht – DNA that proves someone else was aboard. The owner of the DNA lied about her whereabouts. And police ignored her and her associates.
The Tasmania Police investigation was deeply flawed, devoid of accepted crime scene principles and procedures, and thorough crime scene analysis. The forensics were problematic. Police just cherry-picked what forensics they wanted. Witnesses were mistaken. Some lied, others were never identified or followed up. Tunnel vision was rampant, early in the investigation and continues today. Key exhibits remain untested.
The justice system has failed Sue. The jury were presented with speculation on how Bob was killed and what murder weapon was used. An eye witness has now broken her silence and in 2019 said on national TV that she was there and saw how her ex-boyfriend bludgeoned Bob Chappell. Unfortunately the witness has been unreliable, often changing her story. However nothing changes one fact: her DNA at the crime scene confirms her presence.
Despite Sue being granted a new right to appeal in 2015, her appeal process dragged on for over 5 years and was finally heard in March 2021, with a judgement going against her in November 2021. One judge dissented, so it was 2:1. Her probono legal team have applied for Special Leave to Appeal to the High Court of Australia and this will proceed in coming weeks. If successful she will then wait months to have the full appeal heard by the High Court. Meanwhile she becomes eligble for parole in a few weeks, but that doesn’t guarantee she will be offered and/or accept parole.
Books and films are helping to provide the untold story. Southern Justice is a must read. Undercurrent TV seres exposes the truth – now on 7Plus and on Discovery+. Wrongfulconvictionsreport.org has published over 140 articles on Sue’s case. Eminent lawyers have claimed this is the worst miscarriage of justice in Australia.
CALL FOR A COMMISSION OF INQUIRY
The case must be INDEPENDENTLY investigated and the real perpetrators charged and convicted. The evidence and information is compelling. A judicial inquiry/Royal Commission would be able to methodically explore how the police and legal system failed Sue and to identify any malpractice.
2013 Robert Richter QC and Greg Barnes SC wrote to the former Attorney-General seeking an inquiry. Rejected.
2017 Robert Richter QC, Eve Ash and Colin McLaren presented a detailed dossier to the Premier of Tasmania, the Acting AG and the Solicitor General, seeking the appointment of an Independent Commission of Inquiry headed by an interstate Judge with respected and experienced interstate homicide police investigators. Rejected.
2019 Civil Liberties Australia called for a Royal Commission.
2021 Barrister Hugh Selby and Sue Neill-Fraser’s former lawyer Barbara Etter presented a number of detailed documents detailing investigation flaws and non-disclosure by police and prosecutors, seeking intervention by AG Elise Archer. See August 2021 exposé of articles on Andrew Urban’s Wrongful Convictions Report
NOW IT’S YOUR TURN. WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Sue is in her declining years, she is now in a wheel chair. Her partner was murdered, 13 years have been taken from her, along with property and reputation.
She needs her life back, to be back with her family, enjoy seeing her grandchildren and spending time with her friends.
PETITION FOR INDEPENDENT JUDICIAL INQUIRY: Please sign the petition and encourage others to sign. (Getting close to 35,000 signatures!)
LETTERS TO TAS POLITICIANS:
Write directly seeking an Independent Judicial Inquiry to:
The Tasmanian Attorney-General, the Hon. Elise Archer elise.archer@parliament.tas.gov.au
The Premier, The Hon. Jeremy Rockliff jeremy.rockliff@dpac.tas.gov.au
Shadow Attorney General the Hon. Ella Haddad ella.haddad@parliament.tas.gov.au
Ask politicians to stop turning a blind eye to this travesty:
Cassy O’Connor MP (Greens) and Rebecca White MP (Labor Party).
And send a copy to Sue Neill-Fraser PO BOX 24, Lindisfarne, TAS 7015. She needs your support. Tasmania’s politicians need to sort this mess out!
BREAKING NEWS
High Noon at High Court – Sue Neill-Fraser refused leave to appeal >
The controversial, five year old charge of perverting justice against Hobart solicitor Jeff Thompson was dropped >
CORRUPTION FILE: A trial derailed by sloppiness inside the Prosecutor’s office, in the Sue Neill-Fraser >
Witness to Bob Chappell murder breaks 10 year silence | 60 Minutes Australia >