GIST: A man accused of a litany of crimes — from being a violent crook to a
serial killer — during a sensational Hobart murder appeal will get the
chance to respond. Former
Sandy Bay seafarer Paul Wroe arrived in the state on Tuesday to appear
on Wednesday at Susan Neill-Fraser’s last-chance appeal. Neill-Fraser,
62, is attempting to overturn a conviction for murdering partner Bob
Chappell in 2009 aboard their yacht in the River Derwent. The
convicted killer’s landmark application has been enabled by new
legislation that allows an appeal if “fresh and compelling” evidence
emerges and other legal avenues have been exhausted. It is the first time the legislation has been used. At the time Mr Wroe was living aboard his yacht near where Neill-Fraser and Mr Chappell kept the Four Winds off Sandy Bay. Several witnesses have told Hobart’s Supreme Court that Mr Wroe was known to row his dinghy into shore from his yacht. In
the days after Mr Chappell’s disappearance from the Four Winds, and
before Neill-Fraser was charged with murder, Mr Wroe was interviewed by
the Mercury. “It has all the mystery and intrigue of a book, but it doesn’t make me afraid,” he said about the incident.........In
his opening address this week Neill-Fraser barrister Tom Percy, QC,
said there was additional evidence not known at the time of the murder
trial that “may well have changed” the outcome. This
involved the presence of multiple people, including Mr Wroe, on the
foreshore the night Mr Chappell disappeared. Mr Percy said Mr Wroe had a
substantial criminal record for violence dating back 40 years but did
not go into details. The hearing continues before Justice Michael Brett."
The entire story can be found at:
www.themercury.com.au/
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: I am monitoring this case/issue. Keep your eye on the Charles Smith Blog for reports on developments. The Toronto Star, my previous employer for more than twenty incredible years, has put considerable effort into exposing the harm caused by Dr. Charles Smith and his protectors - and into pushing for reform of Ontario's forensic pediatric pathology system. The Star has a "topic" section which focuses on recent stories related to Dr. Charles Smith. It can be found at: http://www.thestar.com/topic/c
