Lingering Doubts - Society of Women Writers, Queensland

Click here  if you would like to see a photo of us with former President Shirley Lawrence at a meeting of the Society of Women Writers, Queensland. We were invited to discuss Lingering Doubts and our grandfather's story at their meeting in April of this year. What a wonderful group of ladies, not only a bunch of sunflowers as the link will show but also helpful, interesting and talented. The support we've received from each and every person not only makes the learning curves a little less daunting, but helps us achieve our main objective of giving our grandfather the voice he was denied. We look forward to seeing the ladies again at the Sandcliffe Writers Festival.
Deb and Jan

Dr Bob Moles - David Eastman Case

Dr Bob Moles sent us an interesting article published in the Canberra Times and the Melbourne Age about the David Eastman case. Eastman, currently in jail, was convicted of the murder of AFP Assistant Commissioner Colin Winchester. Click to read

Dr Bob Moles is the coordinator of the Networked Knowledge (Netk) website and is a tireless campaigner for justice. His book, Forensic Investigations and Miscarriages of Justice (co-written with Bibi Sangha and Kent Roach) has been credited with the recent changes to the appeal laws in South Australia.

Who would ever have thought our grandfather's case would be included on the Netk website?! Along with Dr Moles' analysis of Lingering Doubts the Netk website also includes the speech veteran investigative reporter and author on organised crime, Mr Bob Bottom OAM gave at our book launch earlier in the year.
Click to read Bob Bottom's speech

I wonder if Australians truly realise what a great debt they owe people like Bob Bottom and Bob Moles and others who put in enormous effort, tirelessly campaigning and making personal sacrifices, for the good of society.

Deb and Jan

Lingering Doubts - June events

To keep abreast of what's happening in Brisbane, especially in the literary world, take a look at Watchwords, Lois May's most informative website. An absolute wealth of information! Thanks most sincerely Lois for all your advice and support  and for consistently advertising our upcoming events. Click here to read 
Deb and Jan

Co-author of Lingering Doubts - a devoted gardener

Jan and husband, John, in their charming St George garden.

Read more at:
 http://highlifemagazine.net/constant-gardener/#more-12298

 

sixty-seven years ago - part 12 - the final chapter

Today the Truth newspaper published an extensive article including a one-off interview with Reg Brown's reserved although courageous wife.

"MY HUSBAND WAS NOT A MURDERER," BROWN'S WIDOW DECLARES                  

From the moment of its perpetration in a city office on January 11 to the final curtain fall in the Brisbane Coroner's Court on Tuesday last, the murder of vivacious, 19-year-old typiste [sic] Bronia Armstrong by 49-year-old accountant Reginald Wingfield Spence Brown remained on official records as the most psychologically-baffling crime in Queensland history. ............ and the public generally has accepted the Criminal Court jury's verdict that Brown took a human life. But not Brown's wife, his son, or his daughter. They believe, despite everything that was said, and all the evidence that has been produced, that Brown was blameless. They see him as a grimly wronged man. They believe implicitly his last written words, in pencil, on a sheet of gaol paper: "I did not murder Bronia Armstrong. My conscience is clear." They care not what the world says, or does, or thinks. They have utter, abiding, unshakeable faith in their now dead household head.

It appears the Brown family weren't the only ones unconvinced of Reg Brown's guilt. Eva Brown said she had received many letters and telegrams of condolences from people who believed in her husband's innocence.
Sadly, ten days after this interview, our grandparents, Reg and Eva, should have been celebrating their 26th wedding anniversary.
Sixty-seven years on, many more people, after reading Lingering Doubts, have also formed the opinion that Reg Brown was indeed 'a grimly wronged man'.
Deb and Jan

sixty-seven years ago today - part 11 - Inquest into Reg Brown's death in Boggo Road Gaol

Our grandfather's body was found in a Boggo Road Gaol cell just 9 days into his life sentence. Five weeks later - exactly 67 years ago today - an inquest was held in Brisbane. On that Tuesday, City Coroner Thomas Elite, heard brief evidence from Dr Tonge - State Pathologist, a police constable, four prison officers  and Reg Brown's 20 year-old son. 

Reg's son, Ian, told the inquiry that only four days before his father's death, he had visited with him in Boggo Road Gaol. Although Reg warned his son not to 'get off side with the police, you will never win' and described the prison as 'worse than you could ever imagine', there were no good-byes, nothing to indicate his father was considering suicide. In this crusty courtroom environment Ian was shown, for the first time, his father's last words; a final and concise statement of innocence written and signed in pencil on a piece of gaol issued toilet paper.

 Each prison warden, one of whom we actually met, gave their testimony regarding the prisoner's final days; each concluded with the identical words, 'He never said or done anything which might suggest to me that he was going to take his own life.'

Although our grandfather was unwell and had been prescribed Phenobarbital by the prison doctor, this doctor did not appear at the inquest. After a reported one hour and forty minutes, the coroner ruled no suspicious circumstances. But as we show in Lingering Doubts, there are several reasons for suspicion. Unanswered questions remains to this day. Was our grandfather in an observation cell when he died? We have been told there was some contention about this matter amongst prison staff. Was Reg Brown assessed by the medical officer after receiving a life sentence? That same evening he was distressed, still professing his innocence and  subsequently suffered a severe  asthma attack. Even so he wrote a letter to his equally distraught wife and family.

At the time a half-hearted inquiry into gaol administration was taking place, following  the 1946 escape of three prisoners. But despite QPP leader Bruce Pie's demand asking for a full inquiry into Queensland's gaol administration and the suicide of Reg Brown, this did not occur. In 1949 in a heated accusation about another matter Bruce Pie said the Government 'would come at anything' to prevent the appointment of a Royal Commission.

This was a heart-breaking time also for the Armstrong family. Their daughter Bronia should have turned 20 years-old yesterday, 26 May - 67 years ago.
Deb and Jan

Lingering Doubts recommended by Matt Condon

Fantastic that Matt referred to Reg Brown's 1947 arrest and conviction for murder when he spoke about Jacks and Jokers at the Kenmore Library last night. Thanks Matt please keep spreading the word about the unbelievably unjust treatment our grandfather received under Queensland's legal system.
Deb and Jan

Lingering Doubts - Black Cat Books & Cafe

We are very pleased to announce that copies of Lingering Doubts can now be purchased from Paddington's Black Cat books - the delightfully charming book store situated on Latrobe Terrace.
Deb and Jan

Lingering Doubts - 4BC

CORRECTION! Deb will now be discussing our grandfather's story and Lingering Doubts with Patrick Condren 4BC at 11.00 am Tuesday 20 May instead of 9.30 am. This decision was made to allow for more time as the station considers this story to be one of great interest.
Deb and Jan

Lingering Doubts - Radio 4BC

It's been a busy but wonderfully productive week. We've discussed Lingering Doubts with many interesting people, spoken with Bep on radio 4EB, delivered copies of our book to the Black Cat bookshop in Paddington and conducted our first official book signing at The Book Bank in Toowong.  We have since received another excellent opportunity to share our grandfather's story, this time on radio 4BC. Jan will be unavailable for the upcoming interview as she is returning home to western Queensland but Deb can be heard on Tuesday at approximately 9.30 am speaking to 4BC's Patrick Condren.