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CLAREMONT: The Trial

ByThe West Australian
128 episodes

Podcast Summary

Ever since the shocking deaths of three young women in 1996 and 1997, the unanswered questions surrounding the Claremont serial killings have remained one of the biggest mysteries in WA history. Any hope of justice in the tragic deaths of Ciara Glennon, Sarah Spiers and Jane Rimmer seemed bleak for more than 20 years, with police coming unstuck and no sign of a breakthrough. That was until the arrest of Bradley Robert Edwards in 2016, who was subsequently charged with the trio's murders. For the past three years details about the allegations facing Mr Edwards have been in short supply as his case headed toward what has been dubbed the trial of the century. Now, we bring you in to the courtroom and walk you through all the revelations, allegations and talking points as the historic court case unfolds. Join our team of journalists and legal experts as we break down all the key information from the proceedings in Claremont: The Trial.

#1

S1E1: A Killer Strikes Twice

It's 1996 and a young, blonde girl stands on the side of the road in Claremont and calls a taxi. By the time it arrives, Sarah Spiers is gone. A few months later and Jane Rimmer is out with friends in Claremont when she, too, disappears. Her body was found weeks later. As police desperately hunted a serial killer a third young woman, Ciara Glennon, was snatched and killed. The West Australian's Gary Adshead takes you inside the Claremont Serial Killings, the biggest criminal investigation in Australian history and a tale which haunts an entire city.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2019-02-27•21mins
#2

S1E2: Taskforce, Tears and a Suspect

One woman missing, one woman murdered. A city gripped by fear. Then Ciara Glennon vanishes off the streets of Claremont. As her grieving father takes up the hunt, police launch the biggest murder taskforce in Australian history. But when their focus narrows on a suspect, the question is asked: have police got the wrong man?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2019-03-08•36mins
#3

S1E3: The Wrong Man

As the hunt for a serial killer who has struck three times in Claremont continues, police train a laser focus on one very peculiar man who admits to driving the streets and picking up at least one woman. But the man’s mother says enough is enough. A TV reporter spends an hour with the suspect in his beachside apartment, quizzing him over the case. She concludes that detectives are pursuing the wrong man and contacts the father of one victim to share her view. Now, more than 20 years later, a former police commissioner says that suspect and his family are owed an apology.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2019-03-15•32mins
#4

S1E4: The case against Bradley Robert Edwards

Years pass and with the public losing hope that the horrific mystery will ever be solved, a new suspect emerges. Telecommunications technician Bradley Robert Edwards is arrested in a dawn raid. The 50-year-old pleads not guilty and will stand trial for three murders, rape and abduction. So what is the police case against him? And is it possible that police missed a link that could have led them to the accused man than a decade ago?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2019-03-25•47mins
#5

S2Claremont: S2 Trailer

As the trial of the century gets underway in Perth, Western Australia, Seven West Media journalists take you inside the courtroom. Two girls dead, one missing, presumed murdered. The Claremont serial killings, as they have come to be known, struck fear into West Australians for 23 years. Now, the man accused, Bradley Robert Edwards faces trial. Join us daily for an in-depth conversation with reporters who covered the case of the Claremont serial killings from the start and legal experts who will discuss the case in a language you can understand. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2019-11-22•11mins
#6

S2E1: Claremont: the trial begins

A never-before heard phone call Sarah Spiers made in the hours before she disappeared. Descriptions of Jane Rimmer and Ciara Glennon’s final movements, and gruesome evidence shown to a packed-out court on the first day of the accused Claremont Serial Killer, Bradley Robert Edwards’ trial. Join Natalie Bonjolo, Tim Clarke and legal experts, criminal defence lawyer Damien Cripps and Barrister Nicholas van Hattem as they discuss Day 1 of the trial WA has waited 23 years for.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2019-11-25•23mins
#7

S2E2: The DNA Twist

The defence’s opening statement may have only taken 25-minutes, but in that time, Bradley Robert Edwards' defence lawyer, Paul Yovich dropped a bombshell. He claimed crucial DNA samples - which the prosecution will use as evidence to prove Bradley Edwards is the Claremont Serial Killer - had been contaminated by lab scientists. Day Two also heard the movie-like investigation of how Bradley Edwards came to be charged with murder. Join Natalie Bonjolo, Tim Clarke and veteran journalist Alison Fan as they discuss the Claremont Serial Killings Trial.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2019-11-26•26mins
#8

S2E3: The First Witness

The first witness, Bradley Edwards’ first wife took the stand on day three of the Claremont Serial Killings Trial. Her name and identity has been suppressed. She revealed their bizarre living arrangements, as well as intimate details of their life as husband and wife including an obsession with a computer, an affair and pregnancy that saw the end of their relationship. All while prosecutors tried to paint a picture of how emotional turmoil experienced by Mr Edwards coincided with the disappearance of Sarah Spiers, and the deaths of Jane Rimmer and Ciara Glennon. Join Natalie Bonjolo, Tim Clarke and The West's court reporter Emily Moulton as they discuss day three.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2019-11-27•27mins

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#9

S2E4: Ex Wives and Sex Lives

Day four of the Claremont Serial Killings trial saw a parade of Bradley Edwards’ former lovers take the stand, with intimate details told to the court. Two of Edwards’ former lovers told of their brief relationships with him, one saying she was ‘fond’ of Edwards. Day four was also the first day Bradley Edwards appeared to show emotion, seeming to smile as home videos during his time with his second wife were played to the court. But when his second wife took the stand, she revealed the meticulously detailed journals she kept of his bank statements. Journals she kept because she said she ‘feared for her life’. Natalie Bonjolo, Tim Clarke and Emily Moulton discuss day four.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2019-11-28•27mins
#10

S2E5: The Missing Hours

In what’s already been a week of bombshells, day five, despite being a shorter day, was no exception. Former friends of Bradley Edwards, a couple named Murray and Brigita Maria Cook took the stand. Mr Cook told of his annoyance when Edwards never showed up to a pre-planned holiday in Dawesville, an hour south of Perth, on March 14 1997 - the night Ciara Glennon disappeared. He said Edwards told him he was trying to reconcile with his wife, who told the court on an earlier day that he never tried to reconcile with her. In an eerie admission, Mrs Cook said they had no TV and no radio, so they didn’t know Ciara Glennon was missing. Join Natalie Bonjolo, Alison Fan and Tim Clarke (in the studio) as they discuss the days’ events, as Tim described them, a reverse-alibi.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2019-11-29•21mins
#11

S2E6: A Man in Uniform

As a new week of evidence starts in the Claremont Serial Killings trial, the court took on a different format for the day. While the court waited to hear from the man who impregnated Bradley Edwards' first wife, two former Telstra employees gave evidence, and they were asked - very specifically - about uniforms. The West's legal affairs editor Tim Clarke explains why the specific colour of the Telstra uniforms, when they were issued and the process of ordering them is so important to this trial. Stay tuned to Claremont In Conversation to hear the details of the affair that the prosecution say led Bradley Edwards to kill Sarah Spiers, Jane Rimmer and Ciara Glennon tomorrow.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2019-12-02•27mins
#12

S2E7: Ten Seconds of Terror

It was massive day in court, with eight witnesses taking the stand, including the woman who was attacked from behind by the accused Claremont Serial Killer, Bradley Robert Edwards in 1990, who spoke about her ordeal publicly for the first time. He pleaded guilty and was convicted on common assault. As Natalie Bonjolo, Tim Clarke and Alison Fan discuss, her testimony was animated and detailed, and she recounted the terrifying ordeal, now known as "The Hollywood Hospital Incident" like it was yesterday, the day she said she thought she was going to die. For the first time, it was revealed that Western Australian Police were looking into Telstra vehicles as early as July 1996, just a month after Jane Rimmer went missing and before Ciara Glennon was murdered. The court also heard from three other women, known as 'The Telstra Living Witnesses' who the prosecution say had close encounters with a man in a white van, driving around Cottesloe and Claremont picking up vulnerable women.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2019-12-03•24mins
#13

S2E8: The 'Sliding Doors' Moments

A taxi driver who accepted a job at 2am, a man who saw a lone woman on the side of the road, and the missing minutes of the last time Sarah Spiers was ever seen. Three minutes was all it took for the 18-year-old to disappear. She called for a taxi at 2.03am on January 27, by the time the taxi arrived at 2.06am, she was gone. Day eight of WA's trial of the century tried to shed some light on that time, with the taxi driver who was supposed to pick her up taking the stand, as well as a man who could have been the last person to have ever seen Sarah Spiers in a 15-second glance. The day also heard from more women who say they had encounters with a man in a white Telstra van in the mid-1990s in the Cottesloe and Claremont areas, known as "The Telstra Living Witnesses", and as podcast guest, criminal defence lawyer Damien Cripps explains, why it could be a misunderstanding. Join Damien, along with Natalie Bonjolo and Tim Clarke as they dissect the day's events.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2019-12-04•29mins
#14

S2E9: Missing Sarah

The voice of Sarah Spiers haunted the court as her final phone call, a call to a taxi service was played during evidence on day nine. Sarah Spiers was last seen in the early hours of January 27, 1996. She was out with friends at Club Bay View, and just after 2am decided to go leave. Alone. She called a taxi to take her to Mosman Park, but she never got there. Today, we heard from one of those friends she was out with that night, recalling the final words she ever said to her friend. The prosecution say, instead of getting home in a taxi, Bradley Edwards picked her up and murdered her. The court heard from three people who heard screams in Mosman Park at around 3am that night, describing the 'blood curdling screams' that have stayed with them for more than two decades. It was a highly emotional day, with a statement read out from Sarah's sister Amanda, a court room in tears and a witness consoled as she left the stand after giving her evidence. Justice Hall said he has decided not to release Sarah's last phone call to the public, because he believed it would cause undue stress to her family. The West's Legal Affairs Editor Tim Clarke was in court and describes the the moment her voice was played for the second time in this trial. Join Natalie Bonjolo, Tim Clarke and Emily Moulton as they dissect day nine of the Claremont Serial Killings trial.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2019-12-05•33mins
#15

S2E10: The Huntingdale Attack

On Valentine’s Day in 1988 in Huntingdale, a teenager went to bed alone after spending the day with her boyfriend. She was woken up by someone lying on top of her. Thinking it was her boyfriend, she said she didn’t feel scared. That was until she touched that person’s face. The person lying on top of her wasn’t her boyfriend, but was an intruder. That intruder was Bradley Robert Edwards, who pleaded guilty to the attack 30 years later. Day 10 of the Claremont Serial Killings trial heard from victim, as she told of her ordeal, and of the kimono that was left behind after the attack. That kimono would become crucial in the police investigation, and the prosecution’s case against Bradley Edwards. The day also heard from the family of the second woman to disappear, Jane Rimmer, and the ordinary day that would turn out to be her last. Join Natalie Bonjolo, Tim Clarke and Alison Fan as they dissect the day’s events.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2019-12-06•32mins
#16

S2Bonus Episode: The Third Wheel

In this bonus episode, by popular demand we take you through the evidence given by the man now known as the ‘third wheel’ in Bradley Edwards’ marriage to his first wife. The bizarre living arrangement, affair and pregnancy which the prosecution say led to the ‘emotional turmoil’ which caused Bradley Edwards to kill Sarah Spiers and Jane Rimmer, then Ciara Glennon. Salacious and intimate details were revealed in court, as the man who came in between the accused Claremont Serial Killer and his first wife gave his evidence.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2019-12-08•17mins
#17

S2E11: The Karrakatta Rape

**WARNING: this episode contains distressing content*** The terrifying, graphic and distressing account of a regular night-turned living nightmare of a teenager, who was abducted and raped by Bradley Edwards was read to the court on day 11 of his murder trial. In February 1995, the 17-year-old was walking to a friends’ house from a night out in Claremont, when she was grabbed from behind, a cloth was shoved in her mouth, her hands were tied and a hood placed over her head. Completely helpless, she was carried to a car, driven to a cemetery and raped. Bradley Edwards was charged with her rape, along with the three murders in 2016, but up until this year had always maintained his innocence. That was until three weeks before his trial, he pleaded guilty to the rape. Today, the victim’s words - taken from a police statement days after the attack - echoed through the court room, and even though it was read out by the lead prosecutor Carmel Barbagallo, as Tim Clarke explains, he’s sure almost everyone in that room was affected by her harrowing, and graphic account. We know Bradley Edwards is a rapist, but the prosecution want to argue he's also a murderer, and her statement will help them try to prove that. In this episode, hear the defence argument that shocked the podcast team. To read some of the rape victim’s statement, go to thewest.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2019-12-09•35mins
#18

S2E12: Jane’s Last Night

The last pictures of Jane Rimmer alive were shown to a stunned court room on day 12. The images of the smiling and laughing 23-year-old was shown to the people in the court, who watched on in silence for the entire time the videos were played. Jane was last seen outside Club Bayview in Claremont at 12.04am on June 8, 1996. At the time, the security cameras recorded on a loop, only capturing 13 seconds at a time. The CCTV shows Jane standing outside the club. The security vision flicks over to other cameras around the club, and 32 seconds later it comes back to that same spot, but Jane is gone. 32 seconds is all it took for Jane Rimmer to vanish. It wouldn’t be until almost 2 months later that she would be found. Her body found in bushland in Wellard, half an hour south of Claremont. She’d been murdered, her throat cut. As Natalie Bonjolo, Alison Fan and Tim Clarke discuss, how different this investigation would be if those security cameras flicked over at different times, would we see what happened to Jane in her final night? The ‘sliding doors’ moments The West’s Tim Clarke has described before have become a theme in this case.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2019-12-10•30mins
#19

S2E13: The Guess Watch

Jane Rimmer disappeared in the early hours of June 9, 1996 from Claremont. her body was found 55 days later on August 3 in bushland in Wellard. On June 9, 1996, a man was riding a horse in Wellard, when his horse spooked. He fell off and found a guess watch. That watch turned out to be Jane Rimmer's. Day 13 of the Claremont Serial Killings trial heard the man didn't report the watch to police until after Jane's Body was found. It turns out he fell just two metres from where her body was dumped. Before she disappeared, friends of Jane Rimmer relived the decision the 23-year-old made to stay out alone while her friends caught a taxi home the night she disappeared. One friend, Lynda Donovan remembered a conversation she had with an emotional Jane the night she disappeared - a typical conversation many friends have had after a few drinks, only now it's a heartbreaking reminder of her friend, and her feelings about herself that night. The court was shown more CCTV of the night Jane Rimmer was last seen alive, also, for the first time, vision of Ciara Glennon in Claremont was shown. But probably the most important part of this vision was what wasn't able to be seen - Bradley Edwards. The man the prosecution says killed Jane Rimmer and Ciara Glennon was nowhere to be seen. Police said out of all of the vision they've managed to obtain from the nights the two women disappeared, there's no evidence of the man the prosecution say killed the two women in any of the vision. Criminal defence lawyer Tom Percy QC joins Natalie Bonjolo and Tim Clarke to discuss why the day's proceedings go little way to proving Bradley Edwards is the Claremont Serial Killer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2019-12-11•34mins
#20

S2E14: The Scream That Suddenly Stopped

The night Jane Rimmer disappeared, on June 9, 1996, two couples - separately - heard blood-curdling, ’traumatic’ screams. One witness recalled hearing a scream that just suddenly stopped. Then silence. The two couples lived in the then-rural area on the outskirts of Perth called Wellard. 55 days later Jane’s body would be found in bushland in between their houses. As The West’s Emily Moulton - who has been live blogging the court proceedings - explains, one couple remembered a smell coming from just off the road as they regularly drove past. They said they dismissed it as a dead animal. Day 14 of the Claremont Serial Killings trial also recounted Ciara Glennon’s final night. She was the last woman to go missing. She had only been home for two weeks from 6 months abroad when she disappeared. Her parents were on high alert at this stage in March 1997, with two girls missing and one their bodies having been found, as soon as they reported their daughter missing, police swooped. Join Natalie Bonjolo, Emily Moulton and Tim Clarke as they discuss day 14.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2019-12-12•34mins
#21

S2E15: The Grim Discovery

On August 3, 1996 - 55 days after 23-year-old child care worker Jane Rimmer went missing, a woman picking flowers with her family found her body. She immediately told her husband who rushed for help. Jane’s body was badly decomposed, covered in leaves and small shrubs. Meanwhile a couple riding horses nearby found a knife on the ground not too far away. When they reached the woman who found the body, she told them she had stayed with Jane because “she didn’t want to leave her alone.” We heard a witness break down on the stand today as she recalled that day Jane’s body was found. We also heard from the woman who could be one of the last people to see Ciara Glennon alive on March 14,1997. During her testimony, for the first time, we heard about the police investigation and the man who was the prime suspect, subjected to years of being watched by police, pretty obviously as well. As Alison Fan - the only journalist to interview Lance Williams while he was a suspect - explained, as soon as she finished talking to him, she called the Assistance WA Police Commissioner and told him they had the wrong guy. Join Natalie Bonjolo, Tim Clarke and Alison Fan as they wrap up week three of the Claremont Serial Killings Trial.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2019-12-13•30mins
#22

S2E16: Ciara’s Last Night

March 14, 1997 was the last time Ciara Glennon was seen alive. She’s been at a work function, by all accounts she didn’t want to go out that night, because she had her sister's hen's night the next night. But she was convinced to go out to Claremont. She’d only been back in Perth for two weeks, after travelling for six months. In this podcast, Tim Clarke and Damien Cripps ask whether she had known about the other missing girls as well as the rest of Perth, simply because she wasn’t in the country when Sarah Spiers and Jane Rimmer went missing. In May 1997, WA Police released a re-enactment of Ciara’s final hours in a desperate attempt to jog someone’s memory of the night of March 14, and the early hours of March 15 1997. 11 people did see Ciara that night. On day 16 of the Claremont Serial Killings trial, They gave evidence of seeing a woman matching Ciara’s description walking alone on Stirling Highway. Some witnesses say they saw her talking to a man in a white car, even starting to get in. In a tragic premonition, a worker at a Thai restaurant over the road from where she was last seen even made a passing comment that “she might be the next girl to go.” Ciara’s body was found 19 days later near a scrub track in Eglington, 40 km north of Perth. Join Natalie Bonjolo, Tim Clarke and criminal defence lawyer Damien Cripps as they dissect day 16 and answer listener questions. Send in your own questions to [email protected] omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2019-12-16•37mins
#23

S2E17: Death Lilies

It was by pure-chance Jane Rimmer's body was found. A woman driving with her husband and children driving in Wellard stopped on the side of the road after a rooster ran out. Kids being kids, they wanted to chase it. The mother, Tammy Evans decided to pick some death lilies and out of the corner of her eye, 'the biggest death lily' she had ever seen popped into view. Before grabbing onto it, something brushed her leg. She thought it was a stick, but it was a foot. That was the only feature that assured Tammy that what she had stumbled across was human. She had found Jane Rimmer's body. While her husband went for help, she said she just couldn't leave Jane and stayed with her until police arrived. That was August 3, 1996. The third victim, Ciara Glennon went missing on March 15, 1997. With two women missing and one dead, the state was on high alert. Then, the day police had been dreading, a second body found. April 3, 1997, a man looking for wild cannabis leaves came across Ciara Glennon's body off a bush track in Eglington, 40 kms north of Perth. The headline in the West Australian newspaper the next day said it all: "The State is in Mourning." He said he thought a kangaroo had died, and being 'nosey' he went to check if a joey was in its pouch, but instead found the body of the 27-year-old. On the final day of the trial for the year, the court also heard from the men the prosecution called 'The Burger Boys' - one of which yelled to her that she was 'stupid for hitch hiking' The prosecution reached the end of their 'civilian witnesses', next year will see what has been described as 'the battle of the scientists', the DNA and fibre evidence which is so crucial to this case. We will be checking emails during the Christmas break, so please send your questions to [email protected] See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2019-12-17•39mins

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#24

S2Bonus Episode: Your Questions Answered

If Bradley Edwards is convicted, will he be asked where Sarah Spiers is? Why wasn’t Lance Williams eliminated as a suspect earlier? Will Bradley Edwards be cross-examined? In this bonus episode, criminal defence lawyer Damien Cripps and The West Australian's legal affairs editor Tim Clarke answer some of the burning questions you’ve had from the trial of the century. We’ve received hundreds of questions from listeners all over the world and hope to answer as many as we can. From true crime fans, to those who remember growing up in Perth at the peak of the crimes, this trial has captivated so many. Keep the questions coming in at [email protected] Stay tuned to Claremont The Trial podcast over the Christmas break for more bonus episodes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2019-12-21•35mins
#25

S2Bonus Episode: How The Killings Changed Claremont

Before it was known as the hunting ground for one of WA’s worst serial killers, Claremont was the go-to destination for young people wanting to be seen. Every weekend the pubs and clubs were packed. Some of WA’s wealthiest called Claremont home. And it was safe. But a rape, followed by three murders changed that. All of the victims were out in this affluent suburb, on their own. Within the space of nine months, Claremont would never be the same. Women stayed in packs and men worried they’d be suspected of these horrible crimes. While Northbridge, another entertainment district of Perth became popular instead. Even some 20 years later, before an arrest, “The Claremont Serial Killer” was someone generations of West Australians grew up fearing. The killer could still be out there. Veteran journalist Alison Fan raised her kids in Claremont, covered this case extensively and even helped search for Sarah Spiers, Jane Rimmer then Ciara Glennon. She grieved with both the Rimmers and Glennons when sadly, their daughters were found murdered. Alison even interviewed the man police tailed for years as their prime suspect. Claremont In Conversation host Natalie Bonjolo was in her 20s and going to the same pubs and clubs where the girls disappeared from. Never letting her friends go home alone, wanting to stay in a pack, she tells of the fear bubble which surrounded Claremont that didn’t exist anywhere else. In this bonus episode, join Natalie, Alison and Criminal defence lawyer Damien Cripps as they tell their stories of being around Claremont at the time of these crimes, and how it changed a suburb and a State forever. Tell us your stories from Claremont at [email protected], and stay tuned for more bonus episodes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2019-12-29•26mins
#26

S2Bonus Episode: Everything You Need to Know about Claremont

Before WA’s trial of the century resumes for 2020, we take you through the evidence which has been presented so far. A lot of you have told us the trial jumped around from date to date, so we’ve collated all the evidence and put it in chronological order for you, so you can refresh your memory before jumping into the maze which will be the DNA and fibre evidence. Starting with the Huntingdale attack, through the disappearance of three women and the discovery of two bodies. Then 19 years after that, in 2016, the arrest of Bradley Robert Edwards, a man who wasn’t even on WA Police’s radar. A Telstra employee and social footy player with a wife and step-daughter. In this bonus episode, Claremont in Conversation’s Natalie Bonjolo, Alison Fan and Tim Clarke take you through the series of tragic and horrific events which ended in the arrest of Bradley Robert Edwards, taking us to present day, as he stands trial for murder. Go to thewest.com.au to see the exhibits released during the trial.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2020-01-04•43mins
#27

S2Bonus Episode: How to Convict a Killer

Emotional turmoil. That’s the motive the prosecution say led Bradley Edwards to attack a woman at Hollywood hospital, rape a teenager and kill three women. Family and friends told of the mild-mannered Bradley Edwards in the first four weeks of the trial. The man who didn’t react when he caught his wife kissing another man in their house, nor reacting to the news of his estranged wife having a baby with her lover. The prosecution say he didn’t react publicly to these events, instead he took out his emotions on lone, vulnerable women. Sarah Spiers, Jane Rimmer and Ciara Glennon. The prosecution say they also have DNA and fibre evidence to back up their claim. DNA which they say Bradley Edwards left on his rape victim and Ciara Glennon, as well as on a kimono he left behind after a terrifying home invasion known as “The Huntingdale break in” But the defence have a case of their own. They say the DNA got on all three samples not through Bradley Edwards committing all of the offences, but through cross contamination. They also say there’s no evidence of him being in Claremont at the time of the killings because there’s no CCTV evidence of him in the area. In this bonus episode, hear how the prosecution plan to say Bradley Edwards is the Claremont Serial Killer. Join us again on Monday January 6 for daily podcasts of the Claremont Serial Killings trial.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2020-01-05•27mins
#28

S2E18: The Trial Resumes

After a two-week break, the trial of the century resumed at Perth’s Supreme Court, only to be adjourned again after just half an hour. The reason? Prosecutors needed to go to a stationary store to buy projector screens to block out gruesome images of the burial sites of Jane Rimmer and Ciara Glennon’s bodies that were set to be shown as evidence. The families of Jane Rimmer and Ciara Glennon had voiced their concerns about the evidence being shown to the public, and the judge agreed the vision and images would simply be too distressing. The court was packed out for the resumption of the trial, so closing the court while the gruesome evidence was shown wasn’t going to be an easy option. So instead, when video of the day Jane Rimmer’s body was found was shown, only the judge, the lawyers, the witnesses and Bradley Edwards could see it. Tim Clarke, Natalie Bonjolo and criminal defence lawyer Damien Cripps discuss why this was an unusual move, and what it means for the rest of the trial. Send in your own questions to [email protected] omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2020-01-06•32mins
#29

S2E19: The Crime Scenes

Senior police officers who attended the burial sites of Jane Rimmer and Ciara Glennon's bodies have described the 'mayhem' and 'organised chaos' which became the crime scenes when the women's bodies were found. In particular, when the body of the third woman to go missing, Ciara Glennon's body was found in shrub land in Eglinton, both police and the media started using the term 'serial killer'. This intense interest by the media was brought up in court on day 19 of WA's trial of the century. As detectives tried to preserve the scene, camera screws also tried to capture every moment. One senior officer even mentioned one reporter by name, that was 7News journalist Adrian Barich, who he said was arrested on the scene of Ciara Glennon's burial site, but as Adrian explains, as a rookie sports journalist, it was something he'd never expected to witness, and gives us his account of what happened. The case also focussed around contamination. It was revealed a key piece of evidence which the prosecution says links the Karrakatta rape the murders of Jane Rimmer and Ciara Glennon had been unaccounted for in the WA Police database for almost a year. Join Natalie Bonjolo, special guest Adrian Barich along with Tim Clarke and Alison Fan as they discuss day 19 of the Claremont Serial Killings trial. If you have a question for the team, send them in to [email protected], and to see all of the evidence released by Justice Hall so far, visit See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2020-01-07•35mins
#30

S2E20: The Video too Gruesome to be Shown

On day 20 of the Claremont Serial Killings trial, the court was given a glimpse into the life of Jane Rimmer through photographs taken from inside her house days after she went missing, a woman’s life frozen in time. Images from the 23-year-old child care worker’s house and belongings were shown to the court by former forensic police officer Robert Hemelaar, who searched Jane’s Wembley flat. Bills, papers, even a KFC voucher had been left on her dining table revealing the life frozen in time of a young woman who was never to return. When Jane's body was found 55 days later, police swarmed the scene. Today one of those officers, former forensic police officer Robert Hemelaar told in graphic detail how her body was found, and how forensics went about moving her body. The video officer for police also gave evidence on day 20. Justice Stephen Hall ruled that the vision he took was too distressing to be shown to the public gallery, but as Tim Clarke and The West Australian's court reporter Shannon Hampton explain, they didn't need to see the vision to get a picture of what was happening. Join Tim Clarke, Natalie Bonjolo and Shannon Hampton as they take you through day 20 of the Claremont Serial Killings trial. Send in your questions to [email protected], and to see all the exhibits released to the public by Justice Stephen Hall, go to omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2020-01-08•34mins
#31

S2E21: The Broken Fingernails

Former forensic police officer Robert Hemelaar gave his evidence for the whole of day 21 of the Claremont Serial Killings Trial. He narrated an hour-long video from Ciara Glennon’s burial site, revealing graphic details and forensic clues as to how police collected and stored DNA samples found on the 27-year-old’s body. Joined in the studio by forensic expert Brendan Chapman, Natalie Bonjolo, Tim Clarke and Emily Moulton take you through exactly how forensic officers collect samples, and most importantly, how they avoid contamination. A key piece of evidence was also hinted at during the trial - the fact that some of Ciara Glennon’s fingernails were broken, coupled with the defensive wounds on her arms, the prosecution said that Ciara fought for her life the night she died. But under those broken fingernails, the prosecution says was Bradley Edwards’ DNA. Join the Claremont in Conversation team as they take you through day 21 of WA’s trial of the century. Don’t forget to send your questions to [email protected] omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2020-01-09•36mins
#32

S2E22: The Contamination Case

When police arrived at the scenes where Jane Rimmer and Ciara Glennon’s bodies had been dumped, They didn’t have to wear gloves to prevent cross contamination. On day 22 of the Claremont Serial Killings trial, former forensic police officer Robert Hemelaar took the stand for a third day where it was revealed there wasn’t a big focus on preserving a crime scene in the mid 1990s. He said there was no protocol for wearing gloves and covers for their boots, only that gloves should be worn while handling ‘deceased matter’, for their own safety. During his cross examination by defence lawyer Paul Yovich, Mr Hemelaar admitted he had handled some evidence - a tree branch - with his bare hands. The court had been told tree branches had been pulled off nearby trees and placed over both Jane Rimmer and Ciara Glennon’s bodies to partially conceal them. He also said a key piece of evidence, a hair sample from Ciara Glennon which the prosecution says contained fibres matching unique Telstra shorts, the kind issued to Bradley Edwards while he was working at Telstra, had not been videoed while being collected from Ciara’s body. It was revealed that the sample had also not had tamper-proof tape stuck on the container until years after it was collected. Cross-contamination is the main case the defence has said will provide reasonable doubt about whether Bradley Edwards is the Claremont Serial Killer. Join Natalie Bonjolo, Tim Clarke and Alison Fan as they take you through Day 22’s evidence, and answer some of your questions. If you have a question for the podcast team, send it in to [email protected] You can also find all of the exhibits released by Justice Hall at omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2020-01-10•31mins
#33

S2E23: A Doctor’s Memory

****WARNING: Some viewers may find the content discussed in this episode distressing**** The doctor who examined the 17-year-old who was brutally raped by Bradley Edwards in 1995 has recalled the horrific injuries the teenager suffered that night. In Day 23 of the Claremont serial killings trial Dr Amanda Barnard gave evidence saying while she had examined thousands of women during her career as a doctor for the sexual assault resource centre, the injuries inflicted on the 17-year-old by Bradley Robert Edwards almost 25 years ago had stayed with her. Bradley Edwards pleaded guilty to the rape, in which he abducted the teenager while she was walking to a friends’ house in Claremont on February 11, 1995. He grabbed the 17-year-old from behind, bound her hands, put a hood over her head and carried her to his van, where he tied her legs, drove her to Karrakatta Cemetery where he then brutally raped the teenager twice. Dr Barnard, who was working at the sexual assault resource centre at the time told the court how the teenager’s examination was ‘painful and difficult’, saying, “I think the things that made this particular case stick in my mind were the violent nature of assault by a stranger, the fact that she had been hooded and restrained, the extent and painfulness of her injuries and given the fact of her youth and that she was a virgin,” But while on the stand, the doctor was quizzed about how she collected samples from the teenager, how they were stored and who she sent them to. The defence say these samples – which were found to have Bradley Edwards’ DNA on them were cross-contaminated with the fingernail clippings from Ciara Glennon. But the prosecution say they were never even stored on the same shelf, let alone could be contaminated, and previously called the suggestion of cross contamination an “Exercise in errant fantasy”. Join Natalie Bonjolo, Tim Clarke and criminal defence lawyer Damien Cripps as they take you through day 23 of the Claremont Serial Kill...

2020-01-13•33mins
#34

S2E24: The Lock of Hair

Following Jane Rimmer’s post-mortem, the pathologist who carried it out gave one of the detectives a lock of Jane’s hair. The detective, Vicky Young then washed, brushed and placed an elastic around it and gave it to the Rimmer family. During her evidence today, she said it was an act of compassion. But she also said the hair was covered in fluids and matter when it was given to her. On the podcast for day 24 of the Claremont Serial Killings trial, Alison Fan, Tim Clarke and Natalie Bonjolo discuss this act of kindness, and whether this could have an impact in the case against Bradley Edwards. In a massive day of WA’s trial of the century, several police officers were questioned, including the first Macro Taskforce detective, who organised a massive search - which included TRG officers - of the Wellard area following the discovery of Jane Rimmer’s body, for Sarah Spiers. But they didn’t find anything. Sarah still has never been found. Also today, for Sergeant Barry Mott revealed he drove to Jane Rimmer’s crime scene in a station wagon, the type of car the prosecution says Bradley Edwards used when the murders happened, and fibres from it which were found in both Jane Rimmer and Ciara Glennon’s bodies. Join the Claremont in Conversation podcast team as they discuss why this new information may be an obstacle for the prosecution. Send in your questions for the team at [email protected] omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2020-01-14•33mins
#35

S2E25: Handling Evidence

The question of who handled evidence samples from the two murdered women’s bodies, will become key in both the prosecution and defence’s arguments. Today, on day 25, we got our first glimpse of just how in depth the witnesses will be expected to remember of their dealings with samples. Forensic police officer Gary Hyde told the court he was present during the day Ciara Glennon’s body was found, he took photos of her post-mortem the next day, and handled several exhibits. He was responsible for sending off a critical hair sample to the FBI in 1999. He also told the court he handled evidence which had been tested by key forensic scientist Laurie Webb in 2012, who went on to be sacked in 2016 for cutting corners. Join Natalie Bonjolo, Tim Clarke and Emily Moulton as they take you through how the evidence was labelled, where it went, as well as discussing Yakka workwear, and why it has become so important to this case. For more on the Claremont Serial Killings Trial, head to You can send in any questions you have about the trial to [email protected] omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2020-01-15•35mins
#36

S2E26: Police Errors

The defence team for the accused Claremont Serial Killer, Bradley Edwards focussed on forensic collection errors made by police when Jane Rimmer and Ciara Glennon’s bodies were found in 1996 and 1997. Sergeant Gary Hyde was grilled about errors in transcripts and data entry of forensic pieces from samples collected from the murdered women. On day 26, we’re joined by forensic expert Brendan Chapman, who helps walk us through some of the potential risks incorrect entries in forensic databases can arise, as well as answer your questions about DNA and forensics. We also got a glimpse of the type of person Ciara Glennon was in life, with photos of her bedroom just hours after she went missing shown to the court. The moment trapped in time, as the court saw clothes strewn across her bed and shoes on the floor. The bedroom left by a woman in a hurry, never to return. Join Natalie Bonjolo, Tim Clarke and Brendan Chapman as they navigate the world of forensics and DNA. For more on the trial, head to Don’t forget you can send in your questions for the team and any of our guests to [email protected] omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2020-01-16•43mins
#37

S2E27: The Evidence the State's Case Hangs On

***WARNING: Graphic Content*** Ciara Glennon's fingernail clippings are the key pieces of evidence the prosecution have to say why they'll prove Bradley Robert Edwards is the Claremont Serial Killer. The reason why they're so crucial, is because DNA found under those fingernails contained the DNA of the accused, and the prosecution say it got there because of a struggle. When Ciara Glennon’s body was found on April 3, 1997, she also had defensive wounds on her arms and hands, indicating she fought for her life. On day 27 of the Claremont Serial Killings trial, the court heard from the mortuary manager who collected those key pieces of evidence. Dr Robert Macdermit, who had conducted more than 10,000 autopsies during his career, clipped Ciara's fingernails, and detailed the grim task that was conducting her post-mortem. In that autopsy, Ciara's hair mass was also taken, a gruesome task which was explained in full to the court by Dr Macdermit. Ciara's hair is also an important piece of evidence for the prosecution, because several blue and grey fibres, which they say are from the Telstra uniform and Commodore station wagon used by Bradley Edwards at the time. However, during his cross examination it was revealed Dr Macdermit could have driven a commodore to the post mortem that day. The defence also noticed what looked like another body present in the room of the time of Ciara's post-mortem. They also got Dr Macdermit to admit they used the same utensils for different body parts, which were rinsed off during the procedure. Join Natalie Bonjolo, Tim Clarke and Alison Fan as they explain the details of day 27. If you have any questions for the Claremont in Conversation team, send them in to [email protected] For more information on WA's trial of the century, head to omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2020-01-17•25mins
#38

S2E28: Profiling a Killer

After three women went missing from the same area within less than two years of each other, police concluded they could be looking for a serial killer. So they brought in FBI-trained profilers to try and get inside the mind of the person responsible for the murders of two women, and the disappearance of another. Serial killer experts Claude Minisini and Captain David Caldwell were in Perth, after being invited by MACRO detectives when Ciara’s body was found dumped in bushland in Eglington on April 3, 1997. The FBI experts were brought up by Supt John Leembruggen during his evidence on day 28 of WA’s trial of the century. Supt Leembruggen, who was a detective with the MACRO taskforce in 1997, told the court he escorted the two experts into the crime scene of Ciara Glennon’s body. As Tim Clarke explains, the experts' inclusion in the investigation was contentious at the time, and even more contentious, was what they said. Mr Caldwell had created a profile of the killer while in Perth. He told WA media at the time he believed the then unknown suspect “really enjoys the killing” and “only capture or the killer’s death would stop him taking more lives.” In this podcast, the team also discuss the injuries found on Ciara Glennon’s body, more quizzing of mortuary technicians of how they collected evidence, and why one of the technicians put a towel meant for cleaning up after an autopsy over his shoulders. All of that, plus legal analysis and answers to some of your questions by defence lawyer Damien Cripps on day 28 of Claremont in conversation. If you have a question, send it in to [email protected] And for more on the Claremont serial killings trial, head to omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2020-01-20•42mins
#39

S2E29: A Spelling Test and a Skirt, or are they Shorts?

Day 29 started out unusually in court, with an officer asked to spell the words ‘maggot’ and ‘entomology’ for the court as his cross examination started. The spelling test however, wasn’t just for fun, the court was told during evidence collection, several copies of exhibit lists were made, and one officer simply couldn’t spell those two words, and could identify his writing through his spelling of ‘magat’ and ‘antomology’. Also to take the stand, the forensic officer who collected exhibits from the 1995 Karrakatta rape. He told the court it was him who incorrectly labelled one of the items as a skirt, when they were in fact shorts. After weeks of questioning other witnesses, scrutiny of the labelling of evidence, Sergeant Adam McCulloch told the court he simply made a mistake, which was rectified. Some of the questions sent in by podcast listeners have queried whether the item was a ‘skort’, a mix between the two. However, Sgt McCulloch didn’t have an answer to that. Another witness, a mortuary technician who helped with Ciara Glennon’s autopsy told the court in 1997, while they had some idea of hair and fibre transfer when touching a body, they didn’t have an understanding that the same could happen with DNA. Brian Mouchmore told the court he was aware that a skin flake or hair could get onto a body without touching it, but admitted he didn’t really know mortuary instruments could transfer DNA from one part of the body to another. As Tim Clarke explains, Mr Mouchemore was also quizzed on the length of his beard. Join him, Natalie Bonjolo and Alison Fan as they take you through the events of day 29. If you have any questions for the team, or any of the Claremont in Conversation guests, send them in to [email protected] And for more on the Claremont Serial Killings trial, including Tim Clarke’s stories and the West’s live blog, head to omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2020-01-21•27mins
#40

S2E30: The Missing Exhibit

The forensic officer who was involved with the collection of what is now seen as key pieces of evidence for the prosecution has revealed one of those pieces of evidence mysteriously disappeared after it was stored for the weekend at police HQ after Ciara Glennon’s autopsy. Sgt Adam McCulloch, who was in his second day of evidence, told the court a white fibre labelled AJM23 - which was collected during a Polilight exam on Ciara's body - was missing. It’s unknown, and will probably never be known the importance, if any, this fibre would have played in the trial. This evidence, and more on questions surrounding Sgt McCulloch’s exhibit labelling and the sealing of samples using proper procedure on Day 30 of the Claremont Serial Killings Trial. Join Natalie Bonjolo, Tim Clarke and Emily Moulton as they discuss the day’s evidence, and answer some of your questions you’ve sent in. If you have a question for the podcast team, send it to [email protected] omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2020-01-22•29mins
#41

S2E31: The Evidence Ban

Before Day 31’s evidence in the Claremont Serial Killings trial could be heard, Justice Stephen Hall issues a temporary suppression order on all details regarding the post mortems of Jane Rimmer and Ciara Glennon, including any injuries and the causes of death. Justice Hall said the suppression was made at the request of the victim’s families. The suppression order was put in place just before evidence from the pathologist who carried out the post mortems of Jane Rimmer and Ciara Glennon was read out to the court. Dr Karin Margolius died from cancer in 2010, so her evidence is restricted to the reports she made during the two women's autopsies. It leaves us with the question. Will we find out the caue of death of Jane and Ciara? This left court reporters from every media outlet with not a lot to write about, except that a ban had been put in place. As Tim Clarke explains, media outlets and their lawyers have put in a submission to the court to have access to these details eventually. Just how much detail Justice Hall allows to be broadcast is to be determined. One important note, which Justice Hall stressed, is that the details discussed in court today didn’t stop at just the media. Anyone from the public who was present in the packed court room was also banned from broadcasting on social media, even talking about the details discussed in court. Tim Clarke explains the penalties which could arise from a breach of this order. Joined by forensic scientist Brendan Chapman, we take you through the inner workings of a forensic lab, why dental records are so important and answer some of your questions. If you have a question for the podcast, email us at [email protected] To hear what goes into making the Claremont in Conversation podcast, your behind the scenes look can be found at omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2020-01-23•36mins
#42

S2E32: Cause of Death

It has been revealed for the first time that Ciara Glennon may have been struck on the back of her head in the moments before her death. The blow may have stunned, or rendered her semi-conscious. This information we can bring to you now, because late on day 32 of the Claremont Serial Killings trial, Justice Stephen Hall lifted the suppression order put in place the day before, which had banned all details about Jane Rimmer and Ciara Glennon’s autopsies being broadcast to the public. After an application by Seven West Media, and negotiations with the prosecution, an order was made to be able to publish limited details from the two murdered womens’ post-mortems. In this information, was the revelation that Ciara had a small fracture to her skull, which pathologist Dr Karin Margolius said was likely to have been inflicted by a sharp object shortly before her death. As Tim Clarke and Alison Fan explain, the injuries suffered to both Jane and Ciara extend further than the ‘neck defects’. They had injuries consistent with ‘a boxer’s stance’, which pathologist Clive Cooke called ‘classic self-defence wounds.’ As for their cause of death, It’s likely Ciara Glennon died from the large neck injuries she suffered. These were at the back and sides of her neck. In this podcast, Tim Clarke explains why Jane Rimmer’s was inconclusive. Join Natalie Bonjolo, Tim Clarke and Alison Fan as they wrap up week seven of WA’s trial of the century, discussing the information that’s been allowed to be broadcast, as well as explaining why we can hear it now. For more on the Claremont Serial Killings trial, head to omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2020-01-24•23mins
#43

S2Bonus Episode: Remembering Sarah

It was the Australia Day weekend 1996. Perth woke to the shocking news that an 18-year-old had been reported missing after not returning home from a night out in Claremont with friends. Little did we know that her disappearance would be just the beginning of Australia's most expensive and longest running investigation. She was the first victim of the Claremont Serial Killer, but her body has never been found. In this bonus episode, we're joined by veteran journalist Alison Fan, who became close to the Spiers family since their daughter and sister was reported missing. Alison recounts the desperation felt by Sarah's heartbroken family to find the loving and happy young woman. We take you through the person Sarah was, the search for the 18-year-old and the torment her family has gone through in the 24 years she's been missing, including false hopes and clairvoyants giving them leads that went nowhere. As WA's trial of the century continues, the Spiers family say they've never given up hope of finding Sarah. Join Natalie Bonjolo, Alison Fan and Tim Clarke as they remember Sarah.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2020-01-26•24mins
#44

S2E33: Brutal Injuries

We’ve already been told Jane Rimmer and Ciara Glennon fought for their lives. But what they went through in the moments before their deaths hasn't been spoken about in great detail, until today. On day 33, that was made a little clearer by the testimony of pathologist Dr Clive Cooke. He revealed there was no evidence to suggest she was raped before she was murdered. During his third day on the stand, Dr Cooke said while there was no evidence of sexual assault, Jane’s body was so badly decomposed that it couldn’t be completely ruled out. He also couldn’t categorically point to a cause of death for Jane, but suffocation and a cut to the throat also can’t be ‘ruled out’. Dr Cooke was present both Jane and Ciara’s post-mortems. He detailed the large defensive wounds both women had on their bodies in detail, explaining that a sharp object would have inflicted them. He’s also appearing on the stand as an expert witness to analyse pathologist Dr Karin Margolius’ notes - she carried out the autopsies on both women. As Alison Fan explains in this podcast, with the hindsight and technology of 23 years, Dr Cooke was able to find what he said was a flaw in Dr Margolius’ notes. He said a note about Ciara Glennon receiving a blow to the head shortly before her death was wrong. The ‘fracture’ Dr Margolius spoke about was - what he said - a pre-existing, natural condition. That was found after Ciara’s skull was re-examined in 2013, three years after Dr Margolius’ death. Tim Clarke, Alison Fan and Natalie Bonjolo discuss the revelations made on Day 33 of WA’s trial of the century. For more on the trial, head to And don’t forget to send in your questions for the team and their guests to [email protected] omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2020-01-28•24mins
#45

S2E34: Injuries Too Similar to Ignore

Forensic pathologist Dr Clive Cooke told the court during his fourth day on the stand that Jane Rimmer and Ciara Glennon suffered similar injuries on their necks and hands, and that they both likely died as a result of having their necks cut with a knife. That information isn’t new to the trial, but as Tim Clarke explains in this episode, it’s significant because it’s the first time an expert witness has been asked - and explained - injuries inflicted on both women as a collective. Criminal defence lawyer Damien Cripps joins the Claremont in Conversation team to discuss why this is significant, as well as throw some questions about the other piece of evidence that Dr Cooke also provided today - that there’s no evidence to suggest that Ciara Glennon was sexually assaulted before her murder. As Damien and Tim explain, if the prosecution are going to present the similarities in the two murder cases, the defence would likely highlight the differences in the murders with the other cases the accused Claremont Serial Killer Bradley Edwards has admitted to. Namely, that Bradley Edwards has admitted to two sexual attacks - the Huntingdale attack and the Karrakatta rape - and witnesses over the last two days have told the court there’s no evidence to suggest Jane or Ciara were sexually assaulted before their murders. Join Natalie Bonjolo, Damien Cripps and Tim Clarke as they take you through day 34 of the Claremont Serial Killings trial. They’ll also answer some of your questions you’ve sent in to the [email protected] email. For more on the Claremont Serial Killings trial, head to omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2020-01-29•34mins
#46

S2E35: A Lesson in DNA

The forensic scientist who tested the evidence which is crucial to the prosecution’s case today took the stand. Anna-Marie Ashley from Path West, detailed in painfully intricate detail of how she extracted the DNA from the Karrakatta rape victim’s intimate swabs, which revealed DNA which we now know is Bradley Edwards’ - for the first time. She also tested Ciara Glennon’s fingernail samples - the crucial piece of evidence which the prosecution say links the Karrakatta rape, which Bradley Edwards has pleaded guilty to, with the murder of Ciara Glennon. It was an extremely scientific, and detail driven day in court, luckily, forensic DNA expert Brendan Chapman joined Natalie and Tim in the studio to help us try to understand the process of DNA extraction. Brendan’s informative introduction into DNA is a must-listen for those of us following the trial, because we’ve been warned - it’s only going to get more complicated, especially when the defence take their turn cross examining the evidence. The team also answer some of the questions you’ve sent into the [email protected] email. For the full coverage of the Claremont Serial Killings trial, go to omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2020-01-30•30mins
#47

S2E36: Literally Hanging on by a Fingernail

It’s seen as probably the most crucial piece of evidence the prosecution have to try and prove Bradley Edwards as being the Claremont Serial Killer - Ciara Glennon’s fingernail clippings. Anna-Marie Ashley, the forensic scientist who extracted the DNA from those fingernails spent her second day on the stand, detailing how the DNA was extracted, and whose DNA they found. Just as crucially, she was also asked about how the evidence was stored, and as Tim Clarke and Alison Fan explain, these are the type of details the defence will try and draw out, to try and show if there was any moment during this mammoth investigation the samples from the Karrakatta rape victim and Ciara Glennon’s fingernails could have been cross contaminated. When one of Ciara’s fingernail clippings taken from the middle finger on her left hand - which were labelled AJM42 - were tested, initially they only showed her DNA. It wasn’t until the fingernail clippings, along with the Karrakatta rape victim’s samples were sent to the UK for further testing that a male DNA profile was found. That was later found to be the DNA of Bradley Edwards, after police retested other exhibits from then-unrelated cases which brought up his fingerprints, then tailed him and tested a sprite bottle he left behind after a trip to the movies in 2016. Join Tim Clarke, Alison Fan and Natalie Bonjolo as they discuss week eight of Western Australia’s trial of the century. For more on the Claremont serial killings trial, head to thewest.com.au, and if you have any questions about the trial for the podcast team or any of their guests, send in your questions to [email protected] omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2020-01-31•34mins
#48

S2E37: The Telephone Question

It was a seemingly out-of-the-blue, random question made by defence lawyer Paul Yovich on Day 37 of the trial, but as put by our criminal defence lawyer guest Shane Brennan, it’s a clever one. That question: In 1996 and 1997, did the PathWest lab - which tested both the Karrakatta rape victim’s and Ciara Glennon’s fingernail samples - have a telephone? With the follow-up question if the phone had ever been maintained during the late 1990s. The accused Claremont Serial Killer Bradley Edwards worked for Telstra during that time, and as the podcast team explain, if the defence are trying to prove reasonable doubt through cross contamination, the question about the telephone is ‘clever’. Our special guest, criminal defence lawyer Shane Brennan, who has more than 42 years’ experience with criminal trials, including murder and DNA, said the defence would try every avenue to prove reasonable doubt. Hear the discussion with Natalie Bonjolo, Tim Clarke, Damien Cripps and special guest Shane Brennan about the day’s proceedings, plus on the special appearance by WA’s top cop in court on day 37 of WA’s trial of the century. If you have any questions for the podcast team or any of their guests, send your questions in to [email protected] omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2020-02-03•34mins
#49

S2E38: Defending their Work

A former senior forensic scientist has defended his work practices in the 1990s, maintaining he never took shortcuts and followed the protocols of the time. During day 38 of the Claremont Serial Killings trial, Martin Blooms rather cheekily said on the stand that DNA doesn’t ‘just fly around’ when asked whether there was any chance DNA samples from the Karrakatta rape victim could have come into contact with intimate samples from Ciara Glennon, both of which he tested. The trial has previously heard there is no evidence to suggest Jane Rimmer and Ciara Glennon were sexually assaulted before their deaths, but Mr Blooms said there was no way to ever tell whether the women were raped, because decomposition and time had decayed any sperm or semen, if any existed in the first place. In Episode 38 of the trial, Tim Clarke, Alison Fan and Natalie Bonjolo also discuss Mr Blooms evidence, how even in the 1990s, the lab technicians knew technology would only advance, so they took measures to ‘future-proof’ the exhibit, so they could be tested with technology that didn’t exist yet. Also hear Alison Fan’s take the surprise appearance by WA’s police commissioner Chris Dawson in the public gallery the day before, and why a strong focus by the defence of a label could be an important piece of evidence. For more coverage on WA’s trial of the century, head to thewest.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2020-02-04•24mins
#50

S2E39: The Other Suspect's DNA Twist

Lance Williams was the main suspect as being the Claremont Serial Killer for 10 years, and today it was revealed scientists once believed they found a possible match between his hair and that found on the third victim, Ciara Glennon. During his final day on the stand, retired forensic scientist Martin Blooms revealed in 2002, scientists did suspect a match had been made between the hair from Lance Williams and hairs found on Ciara Glennon’s body, following testing on Mr Williams hair after he was arrested. Lance Williams was arrested in 1998 and interrogated by police for 17 hours. Shortly after his arrest, Lance Williams voluntarily offered his DNA samples for testing, He was placed under intense scrutiny by police, who openly followed him to and from work every day for years. In 2002, they conducted the test, which at the time was designed to exclude suspects, but forms shown to the court on day 39 revealed at least one hair recovered from Ciara’s shirt as well as her skirt noted that it “possibly matched with Williams.” Mr Williams admitted to driving around Claremont at night during 1996 and 1997 to look for lone women, but he insisted it was to offer them a safe way to get home - because three women had gone missing from the area. Claremont in Conversation guest and veteran 7 News reporter Alison Fan interviewed Mr Williams in 2002, and said she came out of the interview convinced he was innocent, so much so she called the assistant commissioner of police to tell him what she thought. It wasn’t until a decade after his arrest, that Lance Williams was officially no longer a suspect in the case. He has since died, but was alive to hear someone else - Bradley Robert Edwards - was arrested and charged with the murders, which he denies. But the day wasn’t all about Lance Williams, Mr Blooms was grilled by the defence about his involvement in the case, revealing that police asked he be taken off the case in 2003 - which The West’s Emily Moulton said received a sha...

2020-02-05•32mins

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