The Burning Question - Is Justice Really Justice?

Interview Dr Robert Moles, Faye Hambour and Henry Keogh
The Burning Question...Is Justice Really Justice? 
An interview everyone should watch...

Three extraordinary people who know the answer only too well. Such a privilege to listen to Henry, sadly more qualified than most, reflect on his twenty plus years of first hand experience.  
Thank you,
Deb and Jan

Lingering Doubts - Meet the Authors

We are pleased to advise we have been invited to share our research and writing journey at the following venues:

Ithaca Probus Club - Thursday 12 October 2017 - 10.30 am at the Ashgrove Bowls Club, Ashgrove

Little Gnome Bookshop, Wynnum - Friday 20 October 2017 - 7.00 pm 

Thank you to all,
Deb and Jan

Wrongfully Convicted - Dr Bob Moles on Channel 7 Sunrise

Dr Bob Moles Channel 7 Sunrise 29 July 2017
We consider ourselves incredibly fortunate to have received support and professional assistance from South Australia's Dr Bob Moles. Bob works tirelessly for people who he believes have been wrongfully convicted  and continues to campaign for a much needed National Criminal Cases Review Commission to be established in Australia, similar to the Commision operating in UK. For more information about Dr Moles and and his team and the ordinary men and women, proven in fact to be extraordinary, who have suffered an unimaginable fate at the hands of a justice system that can only be described as anything but just.
Networked Knowledge Qld. page
Networked Knowledge Home Page 

Lingering Doubts - Henry Keogh's Letter

Henry Keogh on Sunday Night April 16, 2017

Henry Keogh Homepage on Dr Robert Moles' Netk website 

Researching and writing our grandfather's story has proven to be an iincredibly life enriching experience, due mainly to the extraordinary people we've met along the way. One of whom is Mr Henry Keogh, wrongfully convicted of the murder of a lady he loved and planned to spend the rest of his life with. Henry's conviction was based on flawed ''expert'' evidence. 
Imagine being wrongfully accused of murdering a loved one and then locked up and separated from your family for almost 20 years?
How someone survives this, we simply cannot imagine... 
 Henry Keogh wrote the insightful words below and we consider his first hand analysis of the justice system so vitally important we asked and were granted permission to publish Henry's letter. We do so with deep respect for Henry and his family. 
Many times we have described our grandfather's 1947 trial as an unfair contest resembling a stage play. How disheartening to think this culture could still exist in 1995.

Hi Deb, thank you for your kind & generous words when the subject is such a painful reminder of your family's own legal travesty. Regardless of the passing years, there seems very little if any progress has been or will be made in the criminal justice arena. And arena is the most fitting word because it's too often just a battle between giant egos & bloated arrogance & rarely even the sham of a search for truth. Having watched the doco on your grandfather, Faye filled me in on the sad & terrible details. And my heart goes out to him & all of you. It's awful & barely forgivable. But if WE are somehow to ever heal we have to find a way to let go of the anger & hate. That, is what I mean by forgiving. Not forgetting or giving the perpetrators a free pass but purposely deciding to no longer give them free rent in our head. Otherwise, our lives are all the poorer for it, we are dragged down to their level & I'm sure our ancestors would wish the better life for us than the one we can burden ourselves with. I wish you peace and rest in your heart. It's time. You deserve it. Bless you. Kind regards Henry

We too wish you peace and rest in your heart Henry,
 Thank you for allowing us to quote you, it is an absolute honour, 
Deb and Jan

Lingering Doubts - 70 years ago - 20 March 1947

Thursday 20 March, 1947

Early in the morning on this day, our grandfather's body was discovered. He was 9 days into his life sentence. It was alleged he committed suicide by hanging himself with his belt which  apparently had been attached to the bars of his cell window.... despite the above news article which shows the bars above the door.
  On a piece of jail issued toilet paper Reg Brown declared his innocence.

To Whom it May Concern

I did not kill Bronia Mary Armstrong

(Signed) R.W.S. Brown

A question that immediately springs to mind is: would a prisoner, new to the ''lifer's'' block, be in possession of a pencil? 
 By some strange coincidence, on 20 March 1947, the same day Reg Brown's body was discovered, the Courier-Mail office received a letter from an unknown person confessing to Bronia Armstrong's murder. In keeping with the speed of the investigation and trial, (8 weeks from arrest to life sentence) Detective 'Stewie' Kerr instantly disregarded the handwritten confession letter.
During our research we were told by a very elderly and well respected former prison officer that police would sometimes arrive at Boggo Road Gaol during the night with the hope of entering a prisoner's cell. This particular gentleman said he never allowed it, but others had.
  No more anniversary posts will appear on this website. Our grandfather can hopefully rest in peace now after 70 years. So too Bronia Mary Armstrong.
Deb and Jan

Brisbane's Arcade Murder - 70 Years On

Saturday 11 January, 1947
Seventy years ago today at approximately 8.30 in the morning 19 year-old Bronia Armstrong's body was discovered in a staff room at the BAFS Medical Institute, Wallace Bishop Arcade, Albert Street, Brisbane. 
  Queensland detectives, including Det. Frank Bischof, swiftly targeted Bronia's boss, Reg Brown, ruthlessly interrogating him for a full day without legal representation.  Despite his protestations of innocence the fifty-year-old accountant and BAFS Medical Institute Secretary was charged with wilful murder.
The historic ''Arcade Murder'' received much exposure in 2016 and as a consequence various aspects of the crime are currently undergoing further analysis. The joining of the dots continues and pictures are forming. 
Watch this space for the release of new and important evidence! .

Deb and Jan

Lingering Doubts - Christmas 2016 Update

2016 has been huge!
Early in the year, we had a fortuitous meeting at one of our booksigning events when we were approached by freelance journalist/author Helen Chryssides. In June we featured in Helen's 'The Two of Us' article published in Sydney Morning Herald Good Weekend Magazine. (post 4/6/2016)
 So interested in our story was Helen that she submitted our names to ABC Australian Story.  Consequently Shadow of Doubt went to air in September and since then Bronia Armstrong's death and the conviction of our grandfather for her murder has attracted much interest. (post 22/9/2016)
We will remain forever grateful to the hard-working and thorough Australian Story team and also to supportive program participants Dr Bob Moles, Bibi Sangha, Bob Bottom OAM, Ken Blanch, Wal Bishop and Dr Grant Niemann. 
We must add, however, there is much more to this story than could be shown in a 30 minute time slot. Furthermore new and important information has since been uncovered. Our dream came true! Offers to further investigate and analyse the evidence in this almost 70 year old crime have come from several professionals specialising in the areas of law, justice, forensics and crime scene analysis!
  2016 also saw Matt Condon publish Little Fish are Sweet - a most disturbing book in which Matt grants many courageous folk a long overdue voice. His book also includes - we are proud to say - a chapter titled 'A Matter of Lingering Doubts'.(post 17/11/2016)
Our one sadness is that Deb's father, Ian, passed away in June 2016...we wish he could have witnessed this extraordinary progress in the case.
Thankfully Ian's sister Val, Jan's mother, after a lifetime of guarding the family secret, now openly shares her memories of 1947. Val participates fully in the journey this story continues to take.
 Bronia's parents have long passed and her brothers a few years ago. We will never lose sight of the shocking grief they too suffered in 1947 and well beyond.
Our thanks for your interest in our story and best wishes for happy, safe and peace filled Christmas and New Year.
Deb and Jan

1947 Arcade Murder Discussion at Qskeptics Meeting

We very much appreciate the opportunity to discuss Brisbane's 1947 Arcade Murder case with members of Qskeptics.
Looking forward to meeting you all at The Morrison. :)
Deb and Jan

Lingering Doubts features in Little Fish are Sweet

Congratulations once again to Matthew Condon on his recent release of ''Little Fish are Sweet" - a  most disturbing read. What a dark place Brisbane was and what extraordinary courage shown by Matt and others who have come forward to tell what they know.
We, of course, see it as a great privilege that Matt considered our 'Lingering Doubts'' story worthy of a chapter in this superb book. 
Thank you most sincerely Matt for consistently helping us seek justice not only for our grandfather, Reg Brown,  but for 19 year old Bronia Armstrong.
Deb and Jan

Australian Story Shadow of Doubt

Australian Story Shadow of Doubt on YouTube

Joe Cinque's Consolation - Dr Robert Moles

This is the link to Dr Robert Moles' review of the film Joe Cinque's Consolation:  

http://netk.net.au/Books/Singh.pdf

Dr Moles says: 

It is one of the best films I have seen for a long time.

It involves some of my former students at the ANU.

The photo attached is of the Q and A which I was privileged to introduce with the director:

The film raises some important issues about our sense of responsibility and accountability.

Robert N Moles

Networked Knowledge and
Flinders University Miscarriages of Justice Project

Web: http://netk.net.au

Alan Jones 2GB - Brisbane's 1947 Arcade Murder

Please click to listen to interview
Sincere appreciation to Alan Jones for inviting Deb onto his radio show in the lead up to ABC Australian Story 'Shadow of Doubt'. Link above for anyone who would like to listen.

Deb and Jan

Brisbane's Arcade Murder - Dr Bob Moles speaks to Courier Mail

30/9/2016 Courier Mail Queensland//brisbane-arcade-murder

Shae McDonald (AAP), The Courier-Mail

September 30, 2016 12:01am
Extract:
Brisbane Arcade Murder: Renewed calls to appeal Reginald Brown’s conviction
D Moles established the research group Networked Knowledge 16 years ago and also co-founded the Miscarriages of Justice Project at Flinders University in South Australia.
He told Australian Story he thought it likely police “got the wrong person” when they convicted Brown of Ms Armstrong’s murder.

The former law professor told The Courier-Mail there were certain features about Brown’s trial that were “very unsatisfactory”.

Dr Moles said in order for a conviction to be set aside on appeal, a court needed to be satisfied there were errors at trial, not whether the evidence pointed to a person being guilty or innocent.

“The question is did the person have a fair trial,” he said.

Dr Moles said there were several pieces of physical evidence used during the original court case that “raised alarm bells”.

One of them was the fact Ms Armstrong’s body was “infested” with ants.

Dr Moles said the logical question to ask was where they came from.

“There wasn’t an ants nest within the medical room or medical centre,” he said.

“What it would tell me is that it’s likely she was attacked and either disabled or killed somewhere else, where there were ants.

“Her body was subsequently moved to the medical rooms, with the ants on board.”

Legal Experts Doubt Reg Brown's Guilt - 1947 ''Arcade Murder''

ABC News2016-09-26/brisbane-arcade-murder-conviction-in-doubt-after-70-years/7854892

Australian Story

By Jennifer Feller

Abridged version highlighting key points:

 A lawyer specialising in miscarriages of justice has cast doubt on the murder conviction of a Brisbane man 70 years ago.

In the 1947 case that shocked the nation, 50-year-old accountant Reginald Brown was found guilty of asphyxiating his 19-year-old secretary Bronia Armstrong in his Brisbane office.
However, after studying the case, Dr Bob Moles from Flinders University's Miscarriages of Justice Project has questioned the conduct of the trial.
"I would say Reginald Brown did not get a fair trial by today's standards and he did not get a fair trial by yesterday's standards," Dr Moles told Australian Story.

Photo: The "Arcade Murders" became front page news across the country in 1947. (Supplied: Deb Drummond)

He said police displayed tunnel vision by focusing their investigation solely on Brown.
"One of the most disturbing things about the case is the fact that the young girl was found at about 9:30 in the morning, and Reginald Brown had been charged with her murder by 6:00pm," Dr Moles said.
"In a circumstantial case, the prosecution should establish there is no other rational explanation consistent with the innocence of the accused."
Brown was tried and convicted within seven weeks of the murder and received a life sentence with hard labour.
Nine days later, Brown hanged himself in his jail cell at Brisbane's Boggo Road Gaol.
A handwritten note was found next to his body in which he proclaimed his innocence.

Police 'got the wrong man': Dr Moles

Key evidence in the prosecution case were the injuries to Brown's hands and fingernails.
He told police he was assaulted by two men the night before Miss Armstrong's body was found on the floor of his Brisbane office.
He said during the attack his hands were bitten.

Photo: Wallace Bishop Arcade. (Supplied: State Library of Queensland)

Police dismissed the assault as "fantastic" and alleged Brown sustained the injuries as Miss Armstrong fought off a sexual advance before her death.
But Dr Moles said the crime scene evidence failed to support the police theory.
"If Bronia had been involved in the altercation with Reg, then I would have expected to find significant damage — blood transfer to Bronia's fingernails and teeth, and bruises to her face and hands. None of that was present," he said.
He said police "got the wrong person".
Dr Moles, who played a key role in the successful campaign to quash the conviction of Adelaide man Henry Keogh, said the Brown conviction could be successfully appealed.

Bitten hands, cuts 'a sign of defence wounds'

Former Queensland detective Alicia Bennett — who has written a book about the case — has no doubt Brown was the murderer, saying his injuries are consistent with the police case.

"The fingernails being bitten, cuts on his knees, these are all significant defence wounds," she said.

Leading forensic pathologist Dr Byron Collins, however, disagreed.
"On the information presently available, if the injuries to Reg Brown's hands are indeed bite marks, they are more likely to have been sustained during an assault than as a result of Bronia Armstrong fending him off," he said after examining transcripts of the court evidence.

Family secret revealed

 

Brisbane's Arcade Murder - Radio Interviews

Monday 26 Sept. 7.40 am - Deb  speaking with Alan Jones - 2GB and 4BC

                             10.20 am - Jan speaking with Jasmin Midley - ABC Sunshine Coast (90.3)

                            12.40 pm Eastern Jan with 720 ABC Perth with Geoff Hutchinson

                             3.35 pm Deb on ABC 612 Drive

Shadow of Doubt - ABC Australian Story

ABC Australian Story 'Shadow of Doubt' 
When we set out to learn more about our grandfather's 1947 murder conviction and the untimely death of 19 year-old Bronia Armstrong, we assumed our findings would remain firmly within the family circle. Initially, our primary goal was to help older family members better understand the workings of the ''ópen and shut'' case that had devastated their young lives. However, very early on we discovered our grandfather, Reg Brown, was not only denied a voice, but was sentenced to life imprisonment with unprecedented speed. Nine days later he too died.
The more we uncovered, the more determined we became to re-present this case to the public. It loomed as an overwhelming task going well beyond our skill set and only became a reality due to the encouragement and support received from veteran investigative journalist/author, Bob Bottom. After reading our material, Bob firmly believed that the telling of this story was not only important for the family but in the public interest.
Never did we imagine our family project would one day appear on Australian Story!
Program to go to air on Monday 26 September.
With sincere thanks to all who have made this possible,
Deb and Jan 
https://twitter.com/AustralianStory 

ABC Australian Story Jan and Deb 

Shadow of Doubt Press Release 
 

Networked Knowledge - Intriguing case of David Joe Szach

Coming up on Sunday 18 Sept 2016 at 8am with Damien Carrick on ABC Radio National Background Briefing –

the intriguing case of David Joe Szach - another of South Australia's mystery cases:

http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/backgroundbriefing/2016-09-18/7848700 

 Robert N Moles

Networked Knowledge and
Flinders University Miscarriages of Justice Project

Web: http://netk.net.au

1938 Disappearance of Marjorie Norval

Bob Burton, former prison warder and police officer, has conducted extensive research into the 1938 disappearance of Brisbane resident Marjorie Norval. Miss Norval,  personal assistant to the then Premier's wife, walked into Central Railway Station and was allegedly never seen again.
Several political and legal figures associated with Marjorie's case and also high profile police officers attached to the investigation would also appear in the case of 19 year old Bronia Armstrong, whose body was discovered in 1947 in the Brisbane CBD.

For anyone wishing to learn more about the sad and mysterious disappearance of Marjorie Norval and the police investigation and Coroner's Inquiry that ensued please visit Bob's very informative website. 
 Marjorie Norval Disappearance

Lingering Doubts - Angus & Robertson, Brookside Shopping Centre

Thank you to Jane, Josh, Natalie and Andrew from Angus and Robertson, Brookside. What a popular bookshop!...and I can see why...your customer service is second to none! And huge thanks to all the interesting folk who stopped to talk about the story behind Lingering Doubts. 
Furthermore, I felt extremely privileged that so many of you were willing to share your own private stories with me.
Many thanks also to the staff at Boolarong Press.
Deb

Lingering Doubts - The Bookshop at Caloundra

Extremely pleased to advise that copies of Lingering Doubts are now available from The Bookshop at Caloundra, 18 Bulcock Street. A charming store and I (Deb) am delighted our book is now available in my old hometown. I have such fond memories of growing up in Caloundra.
Thank you to owners, Graeme and Chris.
Deb and Jan