YES, I LIED FOR SUE: WITNESS
Man admits giving false evidence in Neill-Fraser appeal case
A KEY defence witness in convicted murderer Susan NeillFraser’s last-ditch appeal bid has pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice.
Stephen John Gleeson pleaded guilty in the Magistrates Court in Hobart yesterday to “wilfully providing false evidence through the form of an affidavit” concerning the murder of her partner Bob Chappell, who went missing aboard a yacht moored on the Derwent on Australia Day nine years ago.
Neill-Fraser, 62, was convicted of his murder in 2010. She last year launched a fresh appeal bid, but three of her witnesses — including Gleeson — have since been charged with perverting the course of justice.
Police allege the 58-yearold Gleeson provided false photographic evidence to be used in the current appeal application by Neill-Fraser in the Supreme Court.
A KEY defence witness in convicted murderer Susan Neill-Fraser’s last-ditch appeal bid has pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice.
In the Magistrates Court in Hobart yesterday, Stephen John Gleeson pleaded guilty to “wilfully providing false evidence through the form of an affidavit” concerning the murder of Mr Chappell, who went missing aboard the yacht Four Winds on Australia Day 2009.
Neill-Fraser, 62, was con- victed of his murder in 2010 and has launched a fresh appeal bid after new legislation enabled her supporters to launch a last-ditch attempt. They have campaigned to have her freed on appeal and in the High Court.
But three witnesses have been charged with perverting justice in relation to the landmark appeal. One of them is Mr Gleeson, who has been charged with supplying false evidence through an affidavit.
The Mercury understands that police allege the 58-yearold gave false photographic evidence to be used in the current appeal application by Neill-Fraser in the Supreme Court.
Homeless and living in a car parked at the Sandy Bay row- ing sheds, Mr Gleeson was touted as a witness who had information that could change the outcome of the case when Channel Seven’s Sunday Night did a feature story on the trial last July. But during proceedings in the Supreme Court in October, Mr Gleeson said he would be prepared to lie to free Neill-Fraser.
When asked by Director of Public Prosecutions Daryl Coates SC if he was prepared to lie to get Neill-Fraser free, Mr Gleeson said “yes because the police are lying”.
The two other people who have been charged with perverting justice in relation to the case, Karen Patricia Nancy Keefe and Hobart lawyer Jeffery Ian Thompson, have both pleaded not guilty.
Before Magistrate Glenn Hay yesterday, Mr Gleeson said he had been threatened by the Rebels outlaw bikie gang and he was up against “the corruption at the top of the police force”. Magistrate Hay on numerous occasions asked Mr Gleeson if he wanted to change his plea, and if he wanted legal aid.
“I will plead guilty,” Mr Gleeson said. “I think I’ve had enough of lawyers in my life.
“I’m trying to save a woman’s life, so I will plead guilty because I’m against the corruption at the top of the police force.”
He will front the Supreme Court in Hobart on February 5.