Verdict in WA’S ‘trial of century’
Jane Rimmer.
Sarah Spiers.
CONFESSED violent rapist Bradley Robert Edwards has been found guilty of two of the shocking Claremont murders that have haunted Western Australia for decades – but was acquitted of a third killing.
Justice Stephen Hall handed down his verdict yesterday, bringing an end to the state’s so-called “trial of the century” in the Western Australian Supreme Court and partly solving Perth’s grim 24-year mystery.
Edwards, a former Telstra technician who called himself the “bogeyman” online, was convicted of murdering childcare worker Jane Rimmer, 23, in 1996 and solicitor Ciara Glennon, 27, in 1997.
But he was found not guilty of killing secretary Sarah Spiers, 18, whose remains have never been found.
Justice Hall said there was no forensic evidence in Ms Spiers’ case, but
Ciara Glennon. there were some general similarities between her disappearance and those of the other two victims.
“The prosecution has failed to establish beyond reasonable doubt that the accused killed Ms Spiers.
“The evidence of his propensity to kill may make him a likely suspect, or even the probable killer, but it does not exclude the real possibility that some other person killed her. If an inference consistent with innocence is open then the accused cannot be found guilty.”
Justice Hall noted there were significant similarities between Ms Rimmer’s and Ms Glennon’s respective disappearances and deaths, including how they sustained defensive wounds to their hands and the fact their bodies were dumped in bushland.
“They were killed in a similar manner, that is by a sharp-force injury to the neck,” he said.
“There were defensive wounds indicating that they had sought to defend themselves from an attacker.”
Two types of evidence – DNA and fibres – were critical to the case, he said.
“The evidence establishes beyond reasonable doubt that the DNA of the accused was under the nails of Ms Glennon’s left hand and that it got there in the course of a violent struggle,” he said.
Justice Hall also noted the fibre evidence established the women were in a car habitually driven by a Telstra employee and Edwards, 51, drove such a vehicle.
“Having regard to the DNA evidence, the fibre evidence and the propensity evidence, I am satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the accused was the killer of Ms Rimmer and Ms Glennon,” he said.
Justice Hall could not determine how Edwards got Ms Rimmer into the car, but he drove her to semirural Wellard and at some point they had a violent struggle.
“With intent to kill, (he) stabbed or slashed her with the sharp instrument, causing one or more fatal injuries to her neck,” he said.
Justice Hall also could not determine how Edwards got Ms Glennon into the car, but said at some point she clawed at him, getting his DNA under her nails.
Like Ms Rimmer, she also suffered a defensive wound to her arm and was stabbed or slashed to the neck, likely in semi-rural Eglinton, where her body was dumped.
Edwards shook his head when the verdict came.
The families of the victims consoled each other after court adjourned.
Ms Rimmer’s sister Lee told reporters outside court she felt like she could finally get on with the rest of her life.
“I think it gives some closure but … no one’s going to bring her back,” she said.
“We got the result we wanted and now we just have to keep working for the Spiers family and hope someone finds Sarah.”
Police Commissioner Chris Dawson said it had been an important day for justice.
“Bradley Edwards can now be called for what he is: a brutal rapist and murderer.”
He paid tribute to the victims’ families for their “patience, grace and dignity under the most tragic circumstances”.
The investigation into the murder of Ms Spiers, who vanished while waiting for a taxi outside a club on Australia Day in 1996, remained open and police would never give up looking for her, he said.
Edwards will face a sentencing hearing on December 23. Prosecutors may seek an order that he never be released.
A GRUELLING trek up the side of a mountain range has tested a group of troubled and homeless young people in an attempt to help turn their lives around.
The hikers, aged between 16 and 21, shivered through cold conditions in the 20km hike up the Paluma Range in August, lugging their own bedding and cooking their own food from scratch as part of the challenge to instil mental toughness.
The annual trip is part of Townsville Youth Housing and Reintegration Service Program’s mission to help turn around the lives of troubled young people.
Project co-ordinator Chris Martin said the group loathed him as they battled up the trail, but it was worth it at the end.
“The walk tested their resilience. They were getting quite frustrated and a bit upset, but we coached them through that and pushed them along to get them through,” he said.
“Once they got to the site they were pretty happy about it and formed a sense of achievement.”
Mr Martin said the hike showed the young people what they were capable of, both on the track and off.
The participants came from all walks of life, including some who were homeless, in the Child Safety or Youth Justice system, or from a troubled upbringing.
Mr Martin said some were apprehensive and untrusting at first, but they thrived with a nudge of guidance.
“We are just there to help them. It’s a two-way street, they have to help themselves as well,” he said.