GIST:  Susan Neill-Fraser was found guilty for the murder of her partner Bob Chappell in Hobart on Australia Day, 2019.
An application to re-open Susan Neill-Fraser's bid to appeal against her murder conviction to include new evidence has been accepted by Justice Michael Brett in the Supreme Court. Neill-Fraser is serving a 23-year jail sentence for the murder of her partner Bob Chappell, who disappeared off the couple's yacht, the Four Winds, moored in Sandy Bay on Australia Day 2009. She is trying to gain another appeal against her conviction and needs to show fresh and compelling evidence for the appeal to be granted. An episode of 60 Minutes that aired on Sunday night, but was not broadcast in Tasmania, contained evidence of a new affidavit by key witness Meaghan Vass, which allegedly contained information about the events that took place on the Four Winds. Justice Brett said he did not view the 60 Minutes program but was aware of its contents. Upon seeing the program, Neill-Fraser's defence lawyers called the producers of the segment and gained a copy of Ms Vass' affidavit.  The court heard this affidavit and an affidavit from the person who witnessed Ms Vass make her statement, in order to explain the circumstance under which Ms Vass made the affidavit, will be made available to Justice Brett and the prosecution for consideration in the coming days.  Director of Public Prosecutions Daryl Coates did not object to the re-opening of the appeal. Mr Coates said it was unlikely he would need to call Ms Vass back as a witness in court, however, said he would make that decision upon receiving the new affidavits.  "It may well be that I won't have to cross-examine anybody," Mr Coates said.  Following the evidence of a final witness in February, Justice Michael Brett was due to deliver a verdict on Neill-Fraser's final appeal attempt.   Justice Brett adjourned the court to reconvene on Thursday."

The entire story can be read at:
https://www.theflindersnews.com.au/story/5955887/information-in-60-minutes-segment-leads-to-re-opening-of-susan-neill-frasers-appeal/?cs=9397

Read the Tasmonia Talks  story (Brian Carlton; March 15) at the link below for background on the legal framework which allows the court to hear the new evidence on Neill-Fraser's appeal, at the link below: "A decision on Susan Neill-Fraser's latest bid to overturn her murder sentence could be made within a week. Using 2015 laws, the convicted murderer is staging a last-ditch bid for a new appeal, which would be allowed if Justice Michael Brett is satisfied she has fresh and compelling evidence. She's serving 23 years after her partner Bob Chappell vanished off their yacht at Sandy Bay in 2009. The 65-year-old's lawyers were allowed to tender a new affidavit yesterday from witness Meaghan Vass. Seven network lawyers deemed Ms Vass' claims about what happened to Mr Chappell too explosive to broadcast in Tasmania on Sunday night. Justice Brett reserved his decision on Neill-Fraser's "fresh and compelling evidence" application last month."
 https://www.tasmaniatalks.com.au/newsroom/tasmanian-news/36821-judge-receives-neill-fraser-evidence

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/charlessmith. Information on "The Charles Smith Blog Award"- and its nomination process - can be found at: http://smithforensic.blogspot.com/2011/05/charles-smith-blog-award-nominations.html Please send any comments or information on other cases and issues of interest to the readers of this blog to: hlevy15@gmail.com.  Harold Levy: Publisher; The Charles Smith Blog.