BACKGROUND: Sue Neill-Fraser was convicted of murdering her partner Bob Chappell on Australia Day 2009, on board their yacht 'Four Winds'. She has maintained her innocence. She has been granted leave to appeal (in March 2019) after a three year process in which then homeless 15 year old Meaghan Vass admitted she was a witness to the murder and Neill-Fraser was not involved. Vass’ DNA was found on the deck." As per Yahoo News: 2020: "Ten years after being found guilty of murdering her partner Bob Chappell, Hobart grandmother Susan Neill-Fraser's second appeal against her conviction will be heard. Neill-Fraser is serving 23 years' jail for killing Mr Chappell on Australia Day 2009 on the couple's yacht in Hobart. Her legal team argues there is "fresh and compelling" evidence that places then-homeless teenager Meaghan Vass on board the boat the night in question.
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THE INTERESTING NEWS: "Meaghan Vass, the chief witness (her stunning testimony absolutely clears Ms. Neill-Fraser) will be giving evidence from a remote witness room and will not be physically present in court, when the long-awaited appeal begins on Monday, March 1st, 2021.
THE BAD NEWS: "the court has decided not to stream or video record proceedings as both sides had expressed concerns about prejudice should the appeal result in a retrial, “which may arise from wide exposure of evidence and witnesses”. (I would have loved to be able to watch!)
THE GOOD NEWS: Ms. Neill-Fraser's appeal team will be lead by prominent Barrister Robert Richter QC , acting pro bono with a team of two fellow barristers and a solicitor.
MORE GOOD NEWS: Author/blogger/criminal justice analyst Andrew L. Urban advises that he will be in Hobart at the court to cover the appeal on his site - The Wrongful Conviction Report -– subject to seat availability in the covid-restricted court. He is the author of an authoritative book on the Neill-Fraser saga: "Murder by the prosecution." His latest post: https://wrongfulconvictionsreport.org/2021/02/24/robert-richter-qc-to-lead-sue-neill-fraser-appeal-team/
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;
