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Report on the Investigation Into the Complaints of Kelvin Ronald Condren and Others

NCJ Number
140094
Date Published
1992
Length
103 pages
Annotation
This report of the complaints of Kelvin Condren and other defendants of unfair treatment of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders covers the jurisdiction, background, and investigation of the case against Mr. Condren and reviews evidence relating to terms of reference and Aborigines and Australia's criminal justice system.
Abstract
Mr. Condren, convicted of the murder of Patricia Carlton in August 1984, complained that prior to taking part in the making of the Record of Interview he had been subjected to assault and intimidation by the police. Additionally, he complained that the Record of Interview essentially had been fabricated by the police. The Court of Criminal Appeal set aside Mr. Condren's conviction and ordered a retrial. Subsequently, on the recommendation of the Director of Prosecutions, the charge of murder against Mr. Condren was withdrawn in the Supreme Court. Mr. Condren was freed on July 27, 1990. The Criminal Justice Commission considered the allegations made against the police by Mr. Condren and the other complainants. As a result of its investigation, the Commission believes that the risk of unfair treatment of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders and others who may be under a disability during the course of the police investigative process can be reduced. 34 footnotes and 4 appendixes