Solved New evidence regards to Badali Debs double homicide of 2 police - *Jason Roberts found NOT GUILTY

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Sep 26, 2003
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It's a tough situation. The cops/prosecutors f*ck up more often than most would realise (can you say " Domaszewicz"; OMG what cluster f*ck to let that guy go free), so it's usually the best option to keep your mouth shut... usually.

If it goes to re-trial I can't see Roberts being found guilty (with a competent lawyer), even if he was. Too much doubt.
 
Apr 2, 2013
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This was 3 years since it re kicked off and a trial would be 2 away. Makes it close to 25 years in. Bail will be interesting.
Normally no chance but the fact he has done so much time will be argued.
Compensation is interesting. Technically you don't get it for remand and acquittal but if the first conviction was due to corruption then would be very much in play.
Trial will be in 2022 an election year and political football.
IF and I stress a big and sceptical IF he is innocent and there is no real evidence with what is redacted would the gov just take the hit now rather than have this drag for 2 years and lead to an acquittal.
Btw I don't believe anyone should be charged if innocent or lack of evidence.
This is a nightmare for everyone. It was one of the most pain staking and intense investigations in Victorian history. And it's been replayed all over 20+ years later
 
Apr 2, 2013
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And so it begins …
Read the summary. Prosecutors to rely on tendency evidence due to the guilty plea for armed robbery around the same time. Isn't tendency evidence used for similar offences thou
A lot will come down to witnesses on the night.
Didn't the girlfriend say he was with her that night? If she holds up under cross and there is nothing tying him there on the night (eye witness or physical evidence) than that's reasonable doubt.
 

MauroFogheri

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Surely you have a plan for this. Alternates etc. This has been over 20 years and needs to be resolved


They were alternates, that's the point, if they continued they risked a later abort due to further illnesses with the remaining jurors. It is expected to be a long trial - 4 months.
 
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Apr 2, 2013
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This is what staying staunch gets you

Police killer tells court his alleged accomplice fired shots the night of double murder

Bandali Debs has given evidence against his former friend and alleged accomplice, testifying that Jason Roberts was present and fired a gun on the night two police officers were shot dead in Melbourne in 1998.
Very sceptical. What did he get bribed with?
Early parole apparently and some details didn't match according to the defence.
So the jury is supposed to believe a man who murdered police stayed silent for all these years suddenly gets offered parole and testifies.
Will be interesting to see if the daughter counters and says he was with her. Everyone is changing their story 24 years on.
 
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Very sceptical. What did he get bribed with?
Early parole apparently and some details didn't match according to the defence.
So the jury is supposed to believe a man who murdered police stayed silent for all these years suddenly gets offered parole and testifies.
Will be interesting to see if the daughter counters and says he was with her. Everyone is changing their story 24 years on.

There’s no way in hell Debs will ever get parole
 
Look he's rotting in prison (correctly btw)
Just don't trust the testimony or what he says.
Stupid decesion by the crown.
He's been locked away for life.
Now we're supposed to believe he's telling the truth

Debs wants a transfer and immunity as well. It's revolting that he'd be given any credibility at all.

Debs has told a Supreme Court trial that Jason Roberts was with him in Moorabbin in the early hours of August 16, 1998, when Sergeant Gary Silk and Senior Constable Rodney Miller were shot after pulling over a car in Cochranes Road.

Under cross-examination by defence counsel David Hallowes, SC, Debs said he had been jailed for life for the Silk-Miller murders, and also jailed for life for murdering Kristy Harty in the Dandenong Ranges and Donna Hicks in Sydney’s western suburbs.

Debs picked up both women for sex and shot both in the head and left their naked bodies.

Debs agreed he wanted to assist detectives in the hope he could be transferred to a Victorian prison to serve his remaining time closer to family, that he wanted the chance to get a possible release date, and that he wanted immunity from prosecution over his other crimes.

 
Apr 2, 2013
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Hardly any reporting on this. It was massive late 90s to early 00s
Prosecution case seems to be
Both committed armed robberies
Car linked to them and Roberts admitted covering up the crime after
Debs testimony
SC Millar claim of 2 shooters

Defence seems to counter saying
Police witnesses statements were tampered and there is no official witness to testify to 2 shooters
Debs is a liar after parole and will provide counter witnessesbto support
Roberts claim to be at home
Will be interesting to see if Nicole Debs testifies.

This is really up in the air. The conviction been over turned on the police statements chucks everything out as than the circumstantial evidence (car robberies etc) may not be strong enough on their own.
Yes there is the fact Roberts didn't testify nor any other witnesses at his first trial and used a different strategy but than so did the prosecution by relying on Debs testimony (a proven murderer).
In essence this is a new trial from scratch so.presumption of innocence stands fresh. Really 50-50 at this point.
Lot will actually depend who is the better barrister.or new evidence or maybe I'm skipping over something.
FWIW all be it from the cheap seats Debs testimony and the circumstantial stuff isn't enough to convict. Unless there is something else real chance Not Guilty. In which case Vic may just have to rip the band-aid off
 
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