Current Claremont Murders Discussion & Edwards trial updates

[BFew]

Here's a live blog with frequent by the minute or so updates on the CSK hearing today.
It's free. Does not require an account or sign in.

TW: Claremont serial killings live blog - Oct 21

The turmoil in the life of Bradley Robert Edwards — and whether it can be linked to the Claremont serial killings of which he is accused — will be probed from this morning in WA’s Supreme Court.

live.24liveblog.com

TW: Claremont serial killings live blog - Oct 21

The turmoil in the life of Bradley Robert Edwards — and whether it can be linked to the Claremont serial killings of which he is accused — will be probed from this morning in WA’s Supreme Court.

 

[Eaglette01]

Trial mere weeks away
By Heather McNeill
Good morning,
The Claremont serial killer trial is just weeks away. This is likely the last directions hearing to iron out any issues before WA's most high-profile murder trial starts in mid-November.
Bradley Robert Edwards has pleaded not guilty to the murders of Sarah Spiers, 18, Jane Rimmer, 23, and Ciara Glennon, 27, in 1996 and 1997. All three disappeared from the Claremont nightclub district after a night out with friends.
The 50-year-old has also denied raping a 17-year-old girl in Karrakatta Cemetery in 1995 and attacking an 18-year-old woman in her Huntingdale home in 1988.


Edwards' confesses to 1995 rape
Bradley Edwards has changed his plea in relation to five charges against him, confessing he abducted and raped a 17-year-old girl from Claremont in 1995.
He has also pleaded guilty to the 1988 Huntingdale sex attack.
He spoke very softly from the dock, his 'guilty' pleas barely audible to a packed public gallery.

He maintains his not guilty pleas in relation to the Claremont murders, which are now the only three outstanding charges to go to trial.
Ciara Glennon's father, Denis, and Sarah Spiers'father, Don, are in court, along with the Karrakatta rape victim.
There are also a number of detectives present.


Nine month trial likely to be reduced by around three months
State prosecutor Carmel Barbagallo is now discussing how Mr Edwards' change to some of his pleas will impact the nine month trial, due to start on November 18.
"We're confident that we can at the very least reduce it by about three months," she said.
"We're confident that we could even make it less than that."
Defence lawyer, Paul Yovich said it would be his preference to start the trial on time.

There is a FLURRY of information:

State arguing for new 'taxi' evidence to be included at trial
Ms Barbagallo is now going through the prosecution's application for new late evidence to be submitted at trial.
The new evidence includes recent statements from a number of people, including some Department of Transport evidence relating to the licence of a "particular taxi", which relates to Jane Rimmer's murder.
The relevance of the new proposed evidence relates to "fibre evidence".

State wants to call expert on DNA found under Ms Glennon's fingernails
Ms Barbagallo has foreshadowed, if the defence argues the DNA found underneath Ms Glennon's - allegedly Mr Edwards' - arrived there by passive contact, the state would like to introduce a new forensic witness to explain the difference between passive contact DNA and fingernail scrapings.
She said Mr Edwards claimed in his police interview he wasn't in Claremont the night Ms Glennon was abducted, but that the state "has no idea" if he may say he was, and therefore would like to be prepared with a new expert witness if he does.


There is a flurry of information !!

 

[Kurve]

Claremont serial killer trial LIVE: Bradley Edwards confesses to Karrakatta rape

The circumstances around Bradley Edwards' life around the time of the Claremont killings will be discussed during a two-day hearing ahead of the high-profile Claremont serial killer trial, due to start in mid-November.

www.watoday.com.au

Sent from my SM-N950F using Tapatalk

After previously having denied he was responsible for that rape. So, at least we know he's a proven liar and if he had any family support believing in his innocence before, they might not now.

 

[Kurve]

State arguing for new 'taxi' evidence to be included at trial
Ms Barbagallo is now going through the prosecution's application for new late evidence to be submitted at trial.
The new evidence includes recent statements from a number of people, including some Department of Transport evidence relating to the licence of a "particular taxi", which relates to Jane Rimmer's murder.
The relevance of the new proposed evidence relates to "fibre evidence".

I don't understand this. Surely he couldn't register a Telstra van as a taxi? Or Jane caught a taxi to one place first and was intercepted by BRE when she got out of it?

What am I missing? I feel it should be obvious. He didn't use the Telstra van to pick up Jane but was moonlighting as a taxi driver in another vehicle?

 

[freofc1994]

I've been off thread for a while. Was there DNA evidence linking the rape to the murders?

 

[Kurve]

I've been off thread for a while. Was there DNA evidence linking the rape to the murders?

Yes but I think it's low copy. It's been suggested after the KK rape the accused became DNA aware.

 

[Killer Power]

Wow. That's a dramatic development. At least this means he will get locked up for something.

 

[Eaglette01]

Telstra-issued work trousers under spotlight as state gathers new witnesses
By Heather McNeill
There are a number of proposed new witnesses to speak to fibres relating to Mr Edwards' blue Telstra-issued trousers which he would have worn at the time of the alleged murders in 1996 and 1997.
The defence is opposing one witness, who would give evidence on the "rarity" of the particular fabric and fibre, from being heard at trial.
The directions hearing earlier heard detectives travelled to Melbourne recently to gather further evidence on the trouser fibres.


So in effect - it's 3 Charges now:

Guilty to the first 2 charges: Huntingdale
Guilty to the next 3 charges: KK

Not Guilty to Charges 6, 7 & 8 namely, SS JR CG

 

[GreyCrow]

Claremont Kill Theory Probe: Tim Clarke 21 Oct 19

PressReader.com - Digital Newspaper & Magazine Subscriptions

Digital newsstand featuring 7000+ of the world’s most popular newspapers & magazines. Enjoy unlimited reading on up to 5 devices with 7-day free trial.

www.pressreader.com

Claremont kill theory probe
The West Australian

21 Oct 2019
TIM CLARKE
The turmoil in the life of Bradley Robert Edwards — and whether it can be linked to the Claremont serial killings of which he is accused — will be probed from this morning in WA’s Supreme Court.
A month before the murder trial is due to start, two days have been set aside for more pre-trial argument before Justice Stephen Hall.
The argument will revolve around the prosecution team’s intention to correlate the alleged crimes — the rape of a young woman in Karrakatta Cemetery in February 1995, and the murders of Sarah Spiers, Ciara Glennon and Jane Rimmer in 1996 and 1997 — to “emotional upset” in Mr Edwards’ personal life.
The alleged rape is believed to coincide with the time Mr
Edwards’ first wife’s lover moved in with them. In January 1996, when Mr Edwards’ wife left with her lover, Mr Edwards was home alone.
The prosecution points to that being the same month Sarah Spiers went missing.
That May, Mr Edwards learned that his wife was pregnant to the other man.
The following month, Jane Rimmer vanished.
Prosecutors say that in March 1997, the former marital home was sold — the same month Ciara Glennon disappeared.
“The State submits this evidence gives ‘some background as to what is occurring’ in the life of the accused at the time that it is alleged the offences were being committed,” Justice Hall wrote in a judgment published in August.
“It is said this provides ‘context to that offending’ and is evidence of opportunity.
In regard to context, the State says that the personal circumstances of the accused form part of its circumstantial case and that a pattern of behaviour can be gleaned.
“Namely that where there is a decline in his personal relationships, offending conduct is more likely to occur.
“The State does not suggest that there is any direct causal link . . . however, they do say that such stressors are a contributing factor which is relevant in determining whether the accused is the offender.”
In pre-trial hearings, prosecutor Carmel Barbagallo said expert evidence backed the theory that turmoil in Mr Edwards’ personal life coincided with the murders.
Mr Edward’s defence team, led by barrister Paul Yovich, has objected to the reasoning.

Why not introduce this in the main trial? It's a good precursor and motive surrounding stressors

 

[GreyCrow]

I think some of us flagged this guilty to the rape scenario occurring

 

[Eaglette01]

https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/cl...atta-rape-huntingdale-break-in-ng-b881358592z

Accused Claremont serial killer Bradley Robert Edwards has pleaded guilty to five of eight charges against him, including twice raping a 17-year-old girl, but maintains he didn’t commit the murders.
At a hearing this morning, Edwards admitted to two charges relating to a disturbing 1988 break in Huntingdale and a vile rape at Karrakatta cemetery in 1995.
But the former Telstra worker has maintained his innocence in relation to the slaying Sarah Spiers, 18, Jane Rimmer, 23, and Ciara Glennon, 27, who were all last seen on Claremont’s entertainment strip in 1996 and 1997.

Edwards maintains he was not responsible for the murder of Sarah Spiers, Jane Rimmer and Ciara Glennon.

At the final directions hearing before a nine-month judge-alone trial slated to begin next month, Edwards pleaded guilty to break-in, deprivation of liberty and sexual assault charges.
Mr Edwards admitted to raping a 17-year-old girl who was walking alone through Rowe Park in Claremont on her way to a friend’s home after a night out at Club Bay View.
Follow all the developments from the hearing as they happen in The West's live blog.
Grabbed from behind, the girl was gagged, bound with pre-prepared cord handcuffs, a hood placed over her head and put into a vehicle before being driven around for some time.
Mr Edwards took her to Karrakatta Cemetery, raping her twice before eventually placing her in bushes and leaving.
He has also admitted to being the prowler who broke into family home in 1988, unplugged the phone line and tired to force a piece of cloth into an 18-year-old’s mouth but fled after the victim struggled.
The Huntingdale incident occurred during a series of underwear stealing cases between January to October 1988 in the suburb, where a man was seen wearing nighties, dressing gowns, kimonos and in one case underwear on his head.
All occurred within a 1km radius of the home Edwards was living in at the time.

Bradley Edwards.
At the hearing on Monday prosecutor Carmel Barbagallo said the development would greatly reduce the length of the Claremont serial killings trial due to begin on November 18.
Supreme Court of WA Justice Stephen Hall said he was inclined to proceed as scheduled.
During previous pre-trial hearings, it emerged Edwards was convicted of assault for attacking a social worker from behind at Hollywood Hospital where he was working for Telstra in 1990.
The remains of Ms Glennon, a lawyer, and Ms Rimmer, a child care worker, were discovered in bushland at opposite ends of Perth weeks after their murders, both with some form of neck injury.
But the body of Ms Spiers, a secretary, has never been found.
- With AAP

Edwards' admits he 'grabbed, bound and raped' teenager in Claremont in 1995
Mr Edwards' has changed his plea during today's hearing, confessing to the abduction and rape of a 17-year-old girl at Karrakatta Cemetery in 1995. Here are the state's facts in relation to that charge, which were read aloud during an earlier hearing in February.
The state said Mr Edwards abducted a 17-year-old girl as she was walking to a friend's house after a night out at Club Bay View in Claremont in 1995.
He grabbed her from behind, bound her hands together, gagged her and put a hood over her head.
He is accused of carrying her into his car, taking her to an isolated area of Karrakatta Cemetery and raping her.
He did not speak during the assault and the woman was left half naked in bushland.
A male's DNA sample, taken from the woman's genital area after the attack, was later allegedly found to match the accused's profile.


12.28pm
The Huntingdale sex attack Edwards committed as a 19-year-old
Mr Edwards' has also today confessed to a sex attack in Huntingdale in 1988.
The state alleges the reopening of that cold case was the major breakthrough in charging Mr Edwards' with the Claremont murders, due to an alleged DNA link discovered in 2016.
Here are the details of that offence, which the state read aloud in February during an earlier hearing.
The state said in February 1988 Mr Edwards entered a Huntingdale home in the middle of the night and assaulted an 18-year-old woman.

Ms Barbagallo said Mr Edwards unplugged the family's home phone and entered the teenager's room.
He sat on her back and straddled her while trying to force fabric into her mouth.
The woman struggled and Mr Edwards ran from the scene, leaving behind a silk kimono.
The kimono was later tested in December 2016, and Mr Edwards DNA profile was detected.
The state said a number of 'prowling' incidents occurred in Huntingdale, within a one kilometre radius from Mr Edwards family home at the time.
The state alleges he had an obsession for women's underwear and night gowns.
He was aged 19 at the time.


12.41pm
Relevance of 'emotional upset' in Mr Edwards' life at time of murders being argued
The defence is now arguing what relevance Mr Edwards' personal circumstances around the time of the Claremont murder has on the state's case.
Mr Edwards' marriage breakdown occurred between 1994 and 1996, which the state claims goes towards his motive to allegedly seek out and attack women he didn't know.
"The state's argument is that the existence of a particular state of emotional upset in the accused is capable of affecting the question of whether he committed the offences," Mr Yovich said.

Mr Yovich is arguing an assault Mr Edwards' carried out on a social worker at Hollywood Hospital in 1990, and his emotional upset at that time, was not relevant to the murder charges.
Mr Edwards attempted to drag the social worker into a bathroom. He attacked her from behind and covered her mouth with a material, preventing her from being able to scream. She managed to get free, and security held Mr Edwards until he was arrested.
RELATED ARTICLE

CLAREMONT KILLER TRIAL
Claremont murders happened during marriage breakdown, prosecution claims
Add to shortlist
Mr Yovich said that offence was "spontaneous", however the state argues it occurred a day after Mr Edwards discovered his girlfriend had cheated on him.
Mr Yovich says there is no "logical connection" between Mr Edwards' hypothetical state of emotional upset and the alleged commission of these offences.
He has referenced the case of Gerard Baden-Clay, who murdered his wife, Allison, in 2012 in Queensland, saying Baden-Clay's motive was "bound up with the nature of the relationship" with the victim.
"That's not the case here of course, because in this case there is no relationship," he said.

 

[BFew]

After previously having denied he was responsible for that rape. So, at least we know he's a proven liar and if he had any family support believing in his innocence before, they might not now.

Can we send Mr guilty the bill for all the wasted prosecution time and public money on the guilty plea charges?

 

[Kurve]

Did he steal the plates off another taxi? Is there more CCTV of Jane actually getting into a taxi and we weren't shown?

 

[Kurve]

If he was driving a registered taxi through the Claremont murders, I see heads on pykes.

 

[metic]

From timeline in article link :
"March 1997 Ciara Glennon murder charge: Ms Glennon, 27, is murdered after allegedly being taken by Mr Edwards following a night out with friends in Claremont.
The lawyer’s body is later found in bushland in Eglinton, covered in a “strikingly similar way” to Ms Rimmer’s body.
Her cause of death is a cut to the thoat."

Claremont serial killer trial LIVE: Bradley Edwards confesses to Karrakatta rape

The circumstances around Bradley Edwards' life around the time of the Claremont killings will be discussed during a two-day hearing ahead of the high-profile Claremont serial killer trial, due to start in mid-November.

www.watoday.com.au

 

[BlueE]

After previously having denied he was responsible for that rape. So, at least we know he's a proven liar and if he had any family support believing in his innocence before, they might not now.

Innocent until proven guilty. It must have become apparent he could not argue against the DNA from the KK rape in which the victim ran to a nearby hospital then was transferred to a emergency department which would have taken samples. Could not question the procedures and chain of custody.

Also not going to question the kimono DNA.

However in the murder charges, only one victim (Ciara) had any DNA and this wasn't found until years later, after the Scham Review. Said to be from fingernails or on a broken fingernail that wasn't seen initially?

This will be questioned as to why they didn't find it immediately? Then it got sent to be tested but mislaid for 2 years? Then there is the type of testing done on the DNA? Chain of custody and strength of DNA weak?

Also sound like he may be saying "Well actually I was at the Conti the night Ciara disappeared and may have shook her hand"?

If accepted and there are only fibres from a Holden car that many people owned, that place him at the disposal site, it's still not strong evidence.

 

[Kurve]

Innocent until proven guilty. It must have become apparent he could not argue against the DNA from the KK rape in which the victim ran to a nearby hospital then was transferred to a emergency department which would have taken samples. Could not question the procedures and chain of custody.

It could be said that had BRE not been disturbed as suggested by the press, the victim may have been murdered. Innocent until proven guilty in the eyes of the law and by his own admits guilty. We're a bit past 'innocent until proven guilty' declarations do you think?

Everything else from here on is simply tactics by the defence. He might get off murder charges but he's still a predatory, extremely violent sexual terrorist who preyed on vulnerable women and scarred them for life. Killer or not in the eyes of the law, he is condemned.

I hope someone gives him a really big pencil.

 

[zedx]

I don't understand this. Surely he couldn't register a Telstra van as a taxi? Or Jane caught a taxi to one place first and was intercepted by BRE when she got out of it?

What am I missing? I feel it should be obvious. He didn't use the Telstra van to pick up Jane but was moonlighting as a taxi driver in another vehicle?

Could they possibly be referring to the car they were looking for - but have never stated as being found? Could this car have been registered as a taxi??

 

[zedx]

Innocent until proven guilty. It must have become apparent he could not argue against the DNA from the KK rape in which the victim ran to a nearby hospital then was transferred to a emergency department which would have taken samples. Could not question the procedures and chain of custody.

Also not going to question the kimono DNA.

However in the murder charges, only one victim (Ciara) had any DNA and this wasn't found until years later, after the Scham Review. Said to be from fingernails or on a broken fingernail that wasn't seen initially?

This will be questioned as to why they didn't find it immediately? Then it got sent to be tested but mislaid for 2 years? Then there is the type of testing done on the DNA? Chain of custody and strength of DNA weak?

Also sound like he may be saying "Well actually I was at the Conti the night Ciara disappeared and may have shook her hand"?

If accepted and there are only fibres from a Holden car that many people owned, that place him at the disposal site, it's still not strong evidence.

I agree, it looks like he is only admitting guilt to those charges where evidence is very strong and not guilty to the charges where the evidence could be questionable. This makes sense.

 

[zedx]

Eglinton Taxi??

 

[Eaglette01]

Here we go "the shaggy defence" - it wasn't me (I wasn't there)

Defence tried previously to have the Huntingdale attacks "separated" - now by pleading Guilty - BRE/Defence has in effect separated the Charges - just as they argued initially !!

1.22pm
Edwards 'had been at Australia Day dinner party the night Sarah Spiers disappeared'
The state will claim the night Sarah Spiers vanished, Mr Edwards' had been having dinner at a house in Golden Bay, but declined an invitation to stay the night and watch the fireworks and told them instead he was going home.
It's alleged Ms Spiers was murdered in the early hours of January 27, 1996, after she had been celebrating Australia Day with friends in Claremont.
At an earlier hearing, the state alleged Mr Edwards was expected to be at a friends house in Dawesville on March 14, the day Ms Glennon was murdered, but did not arrive until mid morning of March 15.
He blamed his lateness on trying to reconcile with his wife, which Ms Barbagallo said was a lie.
Details of where he was the day Ms Rimmer disappeared have not yet been discussed in court.

 

[BFew]

Here we go "the shaggy defence" - it wasn't me (I wasn't there)
...
Edwards 'had been at Australia Day dinner party the night Sarah Spiers disappeared'
The state will claim the night Sarah Spiers vanished, Mr Edwards' had been having dinner at a house in Golden Bay, but declined an invitation to stay the night and watch the fireworks and told them instead he was going home.
It's alleged Ms Spiers was murdered in the early hours of January 27, 1996, after she had been celebrating Australia Day with friends in Claremont.

Golden Bay is a beachside suburb about 10km north of Mandurah.

About 57km drive form Golden Bay to Claremont using the Old Coast Road hugging the coast route.
At that time of night on NYE back then, with little traffic on the roads, but cops out in force, without speeding it would have taken maybe 50 minutes to do that drive I think.

BRE might have actually gone home or somewhere other than Claremont first,
to change from his party clothes into something more comfortable/sinister/cross-dressy.

 

[BFew]

BRE might have actually gone home or somewhere other than Claremont first,
to change from his party clothes into something more comfortable/sinister/cross-dressy.

The alternate Route.
Golden Bay to Huntingdale is about 56km

 

[Truckosaurus]

Some of those roads might have been a bit different in 1996.

 

[zacz]

The freeway didnt extend past Kwinana in those days so don't trust too much on google maps.

The coastal route has not changed much but from what I remember there was never ending roadworks in that area for years.