Lingering Doubts - Boggo Road Gaol - 68 years ago - Part 3

1 February 1947

In readiness for the committal hearing in the Police Court, or today, Magistrate's Court, only one day remained for the preparation of our grandfather's defence against the charge of wilful murder.  However, on this date in 1947, our grandfather's defence was 'seriously hampered' by Boggo Road Gaol authorities when notes he had written for his solicitor were confiscated by a prison guard. Upon his barrister's protest in the presence of the magistrate, incredibly, the only official respondent on record is Detective Sub-inspector Frank Bischof. In part, his report read:

....There is no desire by any member of this [Police] Department to ascertain the contents of any notes BROWN may wish to hand his Solicitor.

The privilege existing between solicitor and client was, and is, sacred. But this was not upheld when Reg Brown was on trial. The incident was simply glossed over.
 We ask the question in our book: Does Bischof's response imply that when a person was denied bail and subsequently detained on remand, police officers  investigating the crime, had the ability to curtail the prisoner's defence? Worse still be privvy to the prisoner's notes written in a vain attempt to defend themself? Back then, successful convictions equaled plum promotions for police.
It defies belief that this corrupt and cruel practice, incorporating the justice, penal and legal systems, was very obviously common place here in Brisbane -  scarier still to think it was only 68 years ago. 

Deb and Jan

Lingering Doubts - Introduction of New Appeal Right

Tony Kerin, Australian Lawyers Alliance, attributing the release of Henry Keogh to the introduction of a new appeal right in South Australia.

Malcolm McCusker QC suggesting that a similar amendment should be introduced in Western Australia.

The Tasmanian Attorney-General stating that similar laws will be introduced in Tasmania this year.

 Link to program:

 http://www.todaytonightadelaide.com.au/stories/appeal-laws

Surely this appeal right should be available to all Australians regardless of which State they live in .... 

Deb and Jan

 

Lingering Doubts - 68 years ago - Part 2

Saturday 11 January, 1947
Sixty-eight years ago Bronia Armstrong's body was discovered at the BAFS Medical Institute, Wallace Bishop Arcade, Albert Street, Brisbane. Queensland detectives swiftly targeted Bronia's boss, Reg Brown, ruthlessly interrogating him, without legal representation, for the entire day - his rights only read that evening, moments before his arrest for willful murder. Despite his protestations of innocence the fifty-year-old accountant and BAFS Secretary was charged and taken to the city watch house. He would never again return to his family, waiting anxiously in their neat St Lucia home.  We now know enough about our grandfather to safely say, despite his dreadful predicament, his thoughts would have been with  his family and in particular with his son Ian, who, not surprisingly, was seriously distressed and in utter turmoil. Bronia Armstrong's younger brother, Albert, was Ian's best mate. Furthermore, Albert and his family resided only a couple of streets away where Ian spent much of his time.
This was the day in 1947 that life took a devastating turn for two ordinary Brisbane families....

Deb and Jan

Lingering Doubts - 68 years ago - Part 1

Friday 10 January, 1947
On this date, sometime during the late afternoon or evening, Bronia Armstrong, a popular young Brisbane woman, lost her life - at whose hands and under what circumstances remains a mystery. History shows her immediate supervisor, Reg Brown, was responsible and  the justice system, of which Detective Sub-Inspector Frank Bischof was a key player, took exactly two months to see Brown arrested and sentenced to life with hard labour. But this previously respected and forthright man refused to be silenced, 'Not guilty', his consistent plea. Nine days after the life sentence was handed down, Reg Brown, our grandfather, was dead. The files on the 'Arcade Murder' were closed; another successful conviction for Queensland's future police commissioner. Police officers moved up the ladder and enjoyed stellar careers, as did the Supreme Court judge, prosecutor, government pathologist and junior defense barrister, (Sir) Harry Gibbs. But life would never be the same for the two devastated families left behind. The Armstrongs had lost a loving daughter and sister, and the Brown family, a much loved husband, father and grandfather.
After eight years of research we've exposed many anomalies and flaws in this so-called 'open and shut' case, and we, and we're pleased to say many others, hold the opinion our grandfather was indeed innocent.
If you wish to explore the story behind the 1947 newspaper headlines copies of Lingering Doubts can be purchased from this site or from the outlets listed in 3 January post. Alternatively copies of Lingering Doubts - Going inside Brisbane's Arcade Murder can be borrowed from public libraries.
We invite readers to form their own opinion. Did the 'Arcade Murder' investigation and trial result in a serious and cruel miscarriage of justice? Did the real perpetrator escape? We look forward to your feedback.
Deb and Jan  

 The authors are to be congratulated for their painstaking work and the clear and balanced presentation of their findings. It is clear that they have worked hard to do what those with legal responsibilities in relation to the case failed to do. It will be interesting to see whether it leads to the conviction being challenged through the courts in due course. I am clearly of the view that it ought to be – although I am well aware of the considerable procedural issues which might stand in the way.

Dr Robert N Moles 1 April 2014   click to read about Brisbane's Arcade Murder on NetK

Lingering Doubts - Where to purchase?

Lingering Doubts - Going inside Brisbane's Arcade Murder can be purchased at the following outlets:

• Annie's Books on Peregian, Peregian Beach

• Avid Reader, West End

• Books of Buderim, 82 Burnett Street, Buderim

• Copyright Publishing, National Trust House, William Street, Brisbane

• Mary Ryan's, Park Road, Milton

• Nook and Cranny, Goondiwindi                                                               

• Paddington Antique Centre, Stall 12

• Pulp Fiction Books, 144 Adelaide Street, Brisbane

• Riverbend Books, Bulimba

• St. George Newsagency, St George

• State Library Bookshop, SLQ, South Bank

• The River Read, Noosaville

Or to buy now click 'Buy the Book' to the top right of the screen 
Lingering Doubts 
Deb and Jan

Lingering Doubts - Merry Christmas Henry Keogh and Dr Bob Moles!!

Read about Henry Keogh's release on bail
Dr Bob Moles has been a staunch supporter of Henry Keogh, as he is for others who have been jailed as a result of flawed forensic evidence. 
 Click to read

From the Australian

Robert Moles, legal academic and supporter of Mr Keogh and Bromley, called on the South Australian government to set up a forensic review panel to identify any cases that may need to be reviewed as a result of the Keogh decision.
“The government needs to get on the front foot here and help to identify any defective cases,’’ he said. “If there have been problems, why not set up the review panel which would have the power to refer things back to the courts?”
Dr Moles said a review panel would be an efficient alternative to a royal commission into the state’s forensic pathology service.

To read more about Dr Bob Moles, including his analysis of Lingering Doubts, see the 'reader reviews' page and click on our previous 2014 posts dated: 26 March, 5 April, 9 June, 20 July, 22 & 23 August, 11 September, 7 October.
Imagine, if you will, being jailed for 20 years for a crime you didn't commit?
Deb and Jan

Lingering Doubts - the first year of publication

A lovely surprise when these certificates arrived today from the State Library of Queensland. Although Lingering Doubts didn't win, to have our grandfather's story recognised and shortlisted was for us the ultimate reward. We wholeheartedly congratulate the People's Choice winner, Kellee Slater (How to do a liver transplant: Stories from my surgical life) and we thank most sincerely all family, friends and supporters who voted for us.
For two previously unknown authors, these SLQ certificates are the finishing touch to what has been an unforgettable year. Many people - from Charleville to Maroochydore and down to Victoria - are now informed about the true facts behind Brisbane's 1947 'Arcade Murder'. We have travelled far and wide speaking and presenting this story and copies of our book are now with the libraries of the Qld. Police Service and Supreme Court. 
Lingering Doubts was launched in March 2014 at the Regatta Hotel (click on the pages above to see more about the launch and the family's connection to this landmark hotel). Our publishers John, Lily and Beth McRobert ensured this was an event we would always remember. Veteran investigative reporter and author, Bob Bottom OAM, travelled from NSW to be our guest speaker, addressing approx. 240 guests. But the real highlight of the evening was the fact that the two surviving children of Reg Brown, Ian (Deb's 86 year old Dad) and Val (Jan's 85 year old Mum) were able to be present. They waited many years for the release of our book and during this time had suffered various health problems. But nothing would keep them from the launch of Lingering Doubts. 
Just four months later Ian required urgent heart surgery. Tragically during or after this procedure he suffered a major stroke which prevented him returning home and to his fiercely independent way of life. Both Ian and his wife (Deb's Mum) have now reluctantly moved into a care facility. All the readers of Lingering Doubts feel they know Ian and Val personally and many have expressed their sadness at this turn of events. Ian continues to grieve for his home, no doubt just as his father, from behind the bars of a prison cell, grieved for his.
Thank you for your kind thoughts and to all the people who have, in so many ways, supported us and our book Lingering Doubts.
Wishing all a very Merry Christmas and a safe, healthy and happy New Year.

Deb and Jan

Lingering Doubts - Memories of Police Commissioner Frank Bischof

Every time we present Reg Brown's case to the public, members of the audience approach us with their own stories of Frank Bischof. It seems there was no limit to what this man was capable of -  both in a personal and official capacity. How frightening to think an individual, backed by the might of the law, wielded so much power; not only in Brisbane but across Queensland.
We have often reflected on the words of a former senior police officer: 

 'your grandfather would've been like a lamb to slaughter at the hands of Bischof and Kerr'.

Sincere thanks to the St Lucia and Taringa History Groups for inviting us, including Val, Jan's Mum, to share the story behind Lingering Doubts. 
Deb and Jan

Lingering Doubts - Grandfather's Story Returns to his Former Neighbourhood

We consider this coming Saturday to be a very special day - another milestone on this incredible journey - when we present our grandfather's story to members of the St Lucia and Taringa Historical Societies. These suburbs in Brisbane's west were home to Reginald Wingfield Spence Brown and his family. Firstly, Stanley Terrace, Taringa, where Reg and his sisters grew up.
 His second and last address was Ryan's Road, St Lucia, where Reg Brown and wife Eva (Cocks) raised their three children. Reg lived there with his family for 25 years before he was  arrested for murder on 11 January, 1947. On 11 March that same year he was sentenced to life imprisonment. Bronia Armstrong was the young woman who died in mysterious circumstances. Bronia had lived with her family on Prospect Terrace, known then as South Toowong.
Not only were the Armstrong and Brown children friends, Bronia was Reg Brown's typist at the BAFS Medical Institute on the upper level floor of the Wallace Bishop Arcade. It really is a terribly sad story.
Valerie (Jan's Mum) will accompany us on Saturday. She now musters all her courage to speak about the devastating event that changed her young life forever, an event she had kept  secret for over 60 years, prior to the publication of Lingering Doubts.
Deb and Jan

Shortlisted - The Courier-Mail 2014 People's Choice Award

A thrill and an honour!!
To our readers and to all who may have voted for Lingering Doubts - a most sincere thank you.
Your support is greatly appreciated,
Deb and Jan
ps voting closes at 5 pm today