New twist in murder case
Complaint made to Integrity Commission
A GROUP conducting its own investigation into the Susan Neill-Fraser case has made a complaint to the Integrity Commission about police. The complaint was lodged this week by Victorian law firm Tony Hargreaves & Partners, whose clients have included actor Vince Colosimo and underworld figure Tony Mokbel. Anyone can lodge a complaint to the Integrity Commission. It did not respond when asked if it had accepted the referral, but that is not unusual. Neill-Fraser is appealing her conviction for killing partner Bob Chappell aboard their yacht the Four Winds.
She is serving 23 years for the murder which occurred on the River Derwent in 2009.
The people involved in the complaint, including a former Victorian detective turned crime writer and a high-profile barrister, believe there is enough evidence to raise doubts about Neill-Fraser’s conviction.
As revealed by the Mercury in August, they met with Will Hodgman, then acting Attorney-General Matthew Groom and Solicitor-General Michael O’Farrell in May to push for an independent inquiry into her conviction.
The request was turned down but months after the meeting two witnesses and a lawyer involved in the case were charged ahead of NeillFraser’s landmark appeal.
Police maintain they’ve been investigating an alleged conspiracy to pervert the course of justice since February.
The complaint to the Integrity Commission surrounds the initial investigation into Bob Chappell’s murder and the recent actions taken by police.
Victorian silk Robert Richter, who represents Cardinal George Pell, wrote a covering letter with the complaint.
Yesterday he said the complaint was lodged because “of the way the police have been conducting themselves in relation to an investigation of the police investigation”.
Colin McLaren is a former Victorian detective and taskforce leader who has conducted his own investigations into the deaths of JFK and Princess Diana, which he concluded were both cover-ups.
He took part in what he said was an 18-month investigation into Neill-Fraser’s case along with former Victorian Detective Charlie Bezzina.
Mr McLaren fears he would be charged for his role in the investigation if he steps foot into Tasmania.
“The using of legislation against people can’t be underestimated in this case,” he said. “And that scares me and a lot of other people.”
Tasmania Police declined to comment but have repeatedly defended the investigation, which it said had survived the scrutiny of a first appeal and a coroner’s investigation.
“Tasmania Police has no concerns about the soundness of the Supreme Court judgment in this matter, the investigation, or the evidence tendered to the court,” a spokeswoman said.
Neill-Fraser’s last bid for freedom, launched under never before used legislation which allows for appeals if fresh and compelling evidence arises, continues next year.