 | ||
| Deb with Year 12 student and aspiring writer Emily |
28 February 2016
Dymocks Carindale now selling Lingering doubts
Very excited yesterday signing books and sharing the story of Brisbane's Arcade Murder with customers at Dymocks Carindale. This very busy store is the first Dymocks to stock Lingering Doubts! Huge thank you to staff at both Dymocks and Boolarong Press.
23 February 2016
Lingering Doubts - 69 years ago - 23 February, 1947
23 February, 1947
While our grandfather, Reg Brown, was on remand in Boggo Road Gaol, the Truth newspaper published an article titled Inside Light on Boggo-Road Conditions. A 'hush hush' departmental inquiry was apparently underway following the escape of three prisoners including Arthur 'Slim' Halliday. But another man, after a stay in Boggo Road Gaol, went public describing 'appalling filth' and hygiene; he told of a privileged prisoner who slept regularly in the hospital, 'his favourite resort'; fruit and vegetables were unheard of; stealing of prison rations; and smuggling of goods in and out of the prison.
This disturbing article hit the news stands on the day Ian (Deb's father) should have been celebrating his 20th birthday. There were no celebrations for the Brown family.
Today Ian Brown turns eighty-nine.
Deb and Jan
While our grandfather, Reg Brown, was on remand in Boggo Road Gaol, the Truth newspaper published an article titled Inside Light on Boggo-Road Conditions. A 'hush hush' departmental inquiry was apparently underway following the escape of three prisoners including Arthur 'Slim' Halliday. But another man, after a stay in Boggo Road Gaol, went public describing 'appalling filth' and hygiene; he told of a privileged prisoner who slept regularly in the hospital, 'his favourite resort'; fruit and vegetables were unheard of; stealing of prison rations; and smuggling of goods in and out of the prison.
This disturbing article hit the news stands on the day Ian (Deb's father) should have been celebrating his 20th birthday. There were no celebrations for the Brown family.
Today Ian Brown turns eighty-nine.
Deb and Jan
16 February 2016
Lingering Doubts at New Farm Editions
New Farm Editions Homewares, Gifts & Books
New Farm Editions facebook
Looking forward to discussing our book with customers at New Farm Editions this Saturday 20 February between 11 - 2 pm.
Deb and Jan
11 February 2016
Lingering Doubts - QNS Winter 2015 Catalogue
QNS Catalogue Winter 2015
We really have to pinch ourselves sometimes! What an honour to be listed in the QNS audio book catalogue alongside such talented authors as Matthew Condon and Helen Garner!
Listening to Qld. Narrating Service (QNS) narrator Kaye Stevenson's splendid delivery of Lingering Doubts still gives us goosebumps!
Audio books are invaluable for people with vision impairment and/or a print disability, however as we've discovered, audio books are also great to take on a road trip...or to turn on while doing the housework.. or just relaxing. We have a whole new appreciation of audio books and this includes the wonderfully dedicated QNS staff and their volunteers.
Deb and Jan
We really have to pinch ourselves sometimes! What an honour to be listed in the QNS audio book catalogue alongside such talented authors as Matthew Condon and Helen Garner!
Listening to Qld. Narrating Service (QNS) narrator Kaye Stevenson's splendid delivery of Lingering Doubts still gives us goosebumps!
Audio books are invaluable for people with vision impairment and/or a print disability, however as we've discovered, audio books are also great to take on a road trip...or to turn on while doing the housework.. or just relaxing. We have a whole new appreciation of audio books and this includes the wonderfully dedicated QNS staff and their volunteers.
Deb and Jan
6 February 2016
Lingering Doubts - 69 years ago - 6 February 1947
6 February 1947
Nearing the end of the five day committal hearing in Brisbane's Police Court where Detective Sub-Inspector Frank Bischof prosecuted. Every morning the Magistrate read out the charge of 'wilful murder'. Every day our grandfather firmly answered, 'Not guilty, Your Worship'.
Deb and Jan
Nearing the end of the five day committal hearing in Brisbane's Police Court where Detective Sub-Inspector Frank Bischof prosecuted. Every morning the Magistrate read out the charge of 'wilful murder'. Every day our grandfather firmly answered, 'Not guilty, Your Worship'.
Deb and Jan
1 February 2016
Lingering Doubts - 69 years ago - 1 February 1947
1 February 1947
Only one day remained for the preparation of our grandfather's defence against the charge of wilful murder before the commencement of the committal hearing in the Police Court. Unbelievably, on this day 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. Following his barrister's protest in the presence of the magistrate, incredibly, the only official response on record is from Police Prosecutor, Detective Sub-inspector Frank Bischof. An extract from Bischof's report:
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 privy to a prisoner's notes written in a vain attempt to defend him or herself?
It defies belief that this extraordinarily corrupt and cruel practice, incorporating the justice, penal and legal systems, was very obviously common place in Brisbane - only 69 years ago.
Deb and Jan
Only one day remained for the preparation of our grandfather's defence against the charge of wilful murder before the commencement of the committal hearing in the Police Court. Unbelievably, on this day 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. Following his barrister's protest in the presence of the magistrate, incredibly, the only official response on record is from Police Prosecutor, Detective Sub-inspector Frank Bischof. An extract from Bischof's report:
....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.
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 privy to a prisoner's notes written in a vain attempt to defend him or herself?
It defies belief that this extraordinarily corrupt and cruel practice, incorporating the justice, penal and legal systems, was very obviously common place in Brisbane - only 69 years ago.
Deb and Jan
11 January 2016
Lingering Doubts - 69 years ago - Saturday 11 January, 1947
Saturday 11 January, 1947
Sixty-nine years ago at approximately 8.30 in the morning 19 year-old Bronia Armstrong's body was discovered in a back room 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 Medical Institute Secretary was charged and taken to the city watch house. He would never again return to his family, waiting anxiously in their St Lucia home.
This was the day in 1947 that life took a devastating turn for two ordinary Brisbane families....the Armstrongs and the Browns.
Sixty-nine years ago at approximately 8.30 in the morning 19 year-old Bronia Armstrong's body was discovered in a back room 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 Medical Institute Secretary was charged and taken to the city watch house. He would never again return to his family, waiting anxiously in their St Lucia home.
This was the day in 1947 that life took a devastating turn for two ordinary Brisbane families....the Armstrongs and the Browns.
Deb and Jan
10 January 2016
Lingering Doubts - 69 years ago - Friday 10 January, 1947
Friday 10 January, 1947
On this date, during the late afternoon or evening, at a time undetermined, Bronia Mary 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 8 weeks to see St. Lucia family man, Reg Brown, arrested and sentenced to life in Boggo Road Gaol.
Nine days after the life sentence was handed down, Reg, our grandfather, who consistently professed his innocence, was found dead.
The files on the 'Arcade Murder' were closed; another successful conviction for Frank Bischof, Queensland's future police commissioner (for more on Bischof see Matthew Condon's Three Crooked Kings and Jacks & Jokers). 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.
Life would never be the same, however, for the two devastated families left behind. The Armstrongs grieved their loving daughter and sister, and the Brown family, a much loved husband, father and grandfather.
As a result of many years of research we've exposed glaring anomalies and flaws in this so-called 'open and shut' case, including the Supreme Court trial. We, and we're pleased to say many others, now hold the opinion our grandfather was most likely innocent of this crime.... if so, who was responsible for taking Bronia Armstrong's life? We invite readers to form their own opinion. Did the 1947 'Arcade Murder' investigation and Supreme Court trial result in a severe miscarriage of justice?
Deb and Jan
On this date, during the late afternoon or evening, at a time undetermined, Bronia Mary 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 8 weeks to see St. Lucia family man, Reg Brown, arrested and sentenced to life in Boggo Road Gaol.
Nine days after the life sentence was handed down, Reg, our grandfather, who consistently professed his innocence, was found dead.
The files on the 'Arcade Murder' were closed; another successful conviction for Frank Bischof, Queensland's future police commissioner (for more on Bischof see Matthew Condon's Three Crooked Kings and Jacks & Jokers). 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.
Life would never be the same, however, for the two devastated families left behind. The Armstrongs grieved their loving daughter and sister, and the Brown family, a much loved husband, father and grandfather.
As a result of many years of research we've exposed glaring anomalies and flaws in this so-called 'open and shut' case, including the Supreme Court trial. We, and we're pleased to say many others, now hold the opinion our grandfather was most likely innocent of this crime.... if so, who was responsible for taking Bronia Armstrong's life? We invite readers to form their own opinion. Did the 1947 'Arcade Murder' investigation and Supreme Court trial result in a severe miscarriage of justice?
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, Law Professor, 1 April 2014 click to read about Brisbane's Arcade Murder on NetK
22 December 2015
Lingering Doubts - Going inside Brisbane's Arcade Murder
Through our promotion of Lingering Doubts we continue to meet the most amazing and interesting people. We thank, from the bottom of our hearts, everybody who has supported our efforts to re-present this tragic story. We also thank you for your encouraging feedback. It means so much!
We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2016.
Today we were kept busy signing copies of our book at Angus & Robertson, Post Office Square, in Brisbane's CBD. On Sunday we were delighted to share our story with customers at Angus & Robertson, Brookside Shopping Centre.
Deb and Jan
We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2016.
Today we were kept busy signing copies of our book at Angus & Robertson, Post Office Square, in Brisbane's CBD. On Sunday we were delighted to share our story with customers at Angus & Robertson, Brookside Shopping Centre.
12 December 2015
Lingering Doubts and Brisbane's 1947 Arcade Murder Discussed with Steve Austin ABC 612
http://blogs.abc.net.au/queensland/2015/12/women-look-for-the-truth-about-their-grandfathers-arcade-murder-conviction.html?site=brisbane&program=612_morning
An amazing opportunity to share our grandfather's story yesterday with listeners of the Steve Austin morning show..
A huge thank you to Steve and his assistants at ABC 612.
Deb and Jan
An amazing opportunity to share our grandfather's story yesterday with listeners of the Steve Austin morning show..
A huge thank you to Steve and his assistants at ABC 612.
Deb and Jan
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)