STORY: "Susan Neill-Fraser witness Karen Keefe denies providing false evidence," the Sydney Morning Herald reports.
GIST: "A witness crucial to the last-ditch freedom bid of convicted killer Susan Neill-Fraser has denied she gave false evidence and corrupted another to do the same. Neill-Fraser is serving 23 years behind bars for the murder of partner Bob Chappell, who disappeared from the couple's yacht moored off Hobart in 2009.The 62-year-old has maintained her innocence, with her latest appeal against the conviction set to be heard in October. But the case has been rocked by a police investigation which in August charged three people with interfering in the case. Karen Patricia Nancy Keefe, 41, fronted Hobart Magistrates Court on Thursday and pleaded not guilty to two charges of perverting the course of justice and one of corrupting a witness. Police allege she provided false evidence in an affidavit as part of Neill-Fraser's appeal. They say Keefe agreed to accept nearly $100,000 - made up of cash and a $50,000 education fund for herself and two children - in return for an understanding another witness would give false evidence. Keefe was remanded in custody and will face trial on November 20. Neill-Fraser's two previous appeals have failed but state legislation, enacted two years ago, allows for another if there is "fresh and compelling evidence". Fairfax Media revealed on Tuesday that Neill-Fraser's last bid for freedom would rely heavily on information in a "white paper", a confidential dossier that her supporters believe contains enough fresh evidence to support her appeal. Melbourne barrister Robert Richter had presented new evidence in the dossier to Tasmanian Premier Will Hodgman and acting-Attorney General Matthew Groom that questioned the murder conviction, Fairfax Media reported. A statutory declaration in the dossier signed by Tasmanian woman Meaghan Vass states that she was on the yacht on the night of the disappearance but that Neill-Fraser was not there. Jeffrey Ian Thompson, 51, a former member of Neill-Fraser's legal team, is before court charged with conspiring to pervert the course of justice. He is accused of deliberately influencing a witness and prejudicing photographic evidence. Another 57-year-old man has also been arrested and charged with perverting justice in relation to the appeal."
The entire story can be found at:
http://www.smh.com.au/national/susan-neillfraser-witness-karen-keefe-denies-providing-false-evidence-20170824-gy33l9.html
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
