PASSAGE OF THE DAY: "Police have never been able to locate Mr Chappell’s body or a possible murder weapon. It was never explained how the DNA of Meaghan Vass, a then homeless 15-year-old girl, ended up on the yacht, ABC News reported. Ms Vass is said to have shared several different versions of her story over the years, including that she was never on the yacht. This infamous case has garnered widespread interest through books and television documentaries across Australia and internationally."
---------------------------------------------------------
STORY: “Susan Neill-Fraser granted parole after 13 years in jail for murdering Bob Chappell,” published by Newseem on September 126, 2022.
PHOTO CAPTION: “Neill-Fraser (pictured) chose not to seek parole throughout her sentence as she wanted to leave prison with a full exoneration.”
GIST: “One of Australia’s most notorious murderers is finally released on parole after pleading her innocence behind bars for 13 years
Susan Neill-Fraser, 65, was convicted of the Australia Day 2009 murder of her partner Bob Chappell aboard their yacht Four Winds in Sandy Bay, Tasmania.
Neill-Fraser has always maintained her innocence during her 13 years in Mary Hutchinson Women’s Prison in Risdon Vale.
She has also consistently refused to apply for parole as she would have to admit her guilt – but the parole board has decided to release her without a confession.
Police have never been able to locate Mr Chappell’s body or a possible murder weapon.
It was never explained how the DNA of Meaghan Vass, a then homeless 15-year-old girl, ended up on the yacht, ABC News reported.
Ms Vass is said to have shared several different versions of her story over the years, including that she was never on the yacht.
This infamous case has garnered widespread interest through books and television documentaries across Australia and internationally.
Neill-Fraser was known in her day as a “model prisoner” who Pavlovas made for fellow inmates for birthdays, provided legal advice and helped with reading.
Meaghan Vass’ DNA was found on board the yacht (pictured) but she told the original process she was not on the boat
But in September last year, Neill-Fraser was placed in solitary confinement for five days with all privileges revoked after writing about “a day in the life” of a female prisoner.
Their day-to-day experiences were later published on a supporter’s website, in violation of the prison’s strict rules.
She also went on a hunger strike in 2017 when she was transferred to medium security after allegedly contraband goods were found in her cell.
According to her daughter, Sarah Bowles, the contraband included pre-approved children’s craft scissors and a tube of makeup purchased from the prison canteen.`
Neill-Fraser had two failed appeals against her conviction, in 2017 and 2021.
She also lost her efforts to have her conviction overturned in the country’s highest court last month after the Supreme Court denied her request to leave to appeal.”
The entire story can be read at:
https://newseem.com/susan-neill-fraser-granted-parole-after-13-years-in-jail-for-murdering-bob-chappell-tasmania/
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: I am monitoring this case/issue/resurce. 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;
